Download as pdf or txt
Download as pdf or txt
You are on page 1of 64

Devil s Riot MC Southeast 3 Axe s

Devotion 1st Edition E C Land


Visit to download the full and correct content document:
https://ebookmeta.com/product/devil-s-riot-mc-southeast-3-axe-s-devotion-1st-edition
-e-c-land/
More products digital (pdf, epub, mobi) instant
download maybe you interests ...

Reclaimed A Devil s Riot MC Boxset 1st Edition E C Land

https://ebookmeta.com/product/reclaimed-a-devil-s-riot-mc-
boxset-1st-edition-e-c-land/

A Demon s Song E C Land

https://ebookmeta.com/product/a-demon-s-song-e-c-land/

His Devil s Wish Club Devil s Cove 3 1st Edition Linzi


Basset

https://ebookmeta.com/product/his-devil-s-wish-club-devil-s-
cove-3-1st-edition-linzi-basset/

Ink s Devil Satan s Devils MC Colorado Chapter 5 1st


Edition Manda Mellett

https://ebookmeta.com/product/ink-s-devil-satan-s-devils-mc-
colorado-chapter-5-1st-edition-manda-mellett/
Moose The Devil s Highwaymen MC 5 1st Edition Lila Grey

https://ebookmeta.com/product/moose-the-devil-s-highwaymen-
mc-5-1st-edition-lila-grey/

Burning Tears Sons of Norhill Tops Book 3 1st Edition E


C Land

https://ebookmeta.com/product/burning-tears-sons-of-norhill-tops-
book-3-1st-edition-e-c-land/

The Devil s War 3 Scandalous Bully 1st Edition Harmony


Grey

https://ebookmeta.com/product/the-devil-s-war-3-scandalous-
bully-1st-edition-harmony-grey/

Devil s Protection Devil s Disciples Book 2 1st Edition


A F Montoya

https://ebookmeta.com/product/devil-s-protection-devil-s-
disciples-book-2-1st-edition-a-f-montoya/

Her Devil s Kiss Club Devil s Cove 7 1st Edition Linzi


Basset

https://ebookmeta.com/product/her-devil-s-kiss-club-devil-s-
cove-7-1st-edition-linzi-basset/
AXE’S DEVOTION

DEVIL’S RIOT MC SOUTHEAST BOOK 3


E.C. LAND
CONTENTS

Acknowledgments

DRMC Southeast

Devil’s Riot MC

DRMC Originals

DRMC Tennessee

Devil’s Riot MC Colorado

Trigger Warning

Playlist

Devoted to You

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9
Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Epilogue

Author’s Note

Available Now

Coming Soon

Social Media

Protecting Blaze’s Mark

Whip’s Breath

Finley’s Adoration

Tyres’ Wraith

Cedric’s Ecstasy
Viking

Keeping Reaper

Spiral into Chaos

AXE’S DEVOTION

This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and


incidents are all products of the author’s imagination and are not to
be construed as real. Any resemblances to persons, organizations,
events, or locales are entirely coincidental.

Axe’s Devotion. Copyright © 2021 by E.C. Land. All rights reserved.


No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner
whatsoever without written permission from the author, except in
the case of brief quotations used in articles or reviews. For
information, contact E.C. Land.

Published by Knox Publishing

Cover Design by Charli Childs, Cosmic Letterz Cover Design

Editing by Kim Lubbers, Knox Publishing

Formatting by E.C. Land, Knox Publishing

Proofreading by Jackie Ziegler, Knox Publishing

Created with Vellum

To my beautiful daughter for reminding me of so many things and


what I need to do to help where

I’m needed most.

A C K NO W L E D GM E NT S
My Husband – For years, he’s worked himself to death to give our
family everything we needed or

wanted. He encourages me every day to follow my dreams just like


he did the day he told me to take

the chance. He’s my best friend and I wouldn’t know what to do


without him. Or the fact he listens to my non-stop rambling or my
need to have a notepad with me in case I need to write something
down

that pops into my head.

My Three Kiddos – Every day, I watch them grow up into little


people who want to take over the

world. Well, in their own way, that is. They are an inspiration all by
themselves. They love to find out what I’m working on and give me
ideas. One of my favorite things is to ask them what I should have

someone do or how they should act. Some of their ideas are wicked.

My Alphas – You guys rock big time! Thank you all for being the first
to read the stories as they

come alive. It means the world to me. Especially when you all start
to get mad. That’s when I know

I’m doing something right. And in doing so, pushing me to keep


going with all the different plots that form in my head. I’m thankful
to you all for being ready and willing to read and give your input.

My Knox Publishing People – Thank you guys for being such great
people to work with.

Liz – My sister from another mister, my best friend, and


Publisher/Boss/Co-Writer extraordinaire.
You’re my go-to when I need it. I love working with you on all that
we do. No matter how much chaos

we go through to get it done.

Diane – If not for this woman, I’d swear I would lose my head. She
sets me straight when I don’t

know which way to look. Thank you for everything you do in being
the best PA I could ask for.

However, you’re also one amazing friend.

Kim and Jackie – No matter how much insanity is thrown your way,
you still put up with me and

I’m thankful for it all the same. Thank you both for taking on all of
my work. I love the fact I work with you both on each of them. Also,
the fact when it comes to something I miss, you help me

understand how to correct it, so it doesn’t happen again.

DRMCSOUTHEAST

O – OL’ LADY, C – CHILD

Hammer – Prez – Avery – O

Tate – C

Malice – VP – Willow – O

Gates, Gavin, & Gemini – C

Axe – Sergeant at Arms – CJ – O

Savage – Road Captain


Gunner – Enforcer

Delilah – C

Cy – Tech

Bruiser – Treasurer

Dagger – Medic

Rogue – Secretary

Brass – Chaplain

Glock – Member

Ruger – Member

Blade – Member

Colt – Member

Carbine – Member

DEVIL’SRIOTMC

O – OL’ LADY, C – CHILD

Twister – Prez – Izzy – O

Leanna Mercy– C

Horse – VP – Kenny – O

Jason Cole (JC) – C

Kayla – C

Caden – C
Thorn – Sergeant at Arms – Lynsdey – O

William Michael (Bud) – C

Anna-leigh Cleo – C

Rage – Road Captain – Cleo – O

Reagan – C (deceased)

Rosaline – C

Devin – C

Dragon – Medic – Connors – O

Gadget – Tech – Connors – O

Logan – C

Kagan – C

Keegan – C

Hades – Enforcer – Emerson – O

Alec – C

Burner – Treasurer – Ally – O

Lincoln –C

Badger – Member – Jordan – O

Nico – C

K-9 – Member

Red – Member
Striker – Member

Brass – Member

Wolf – Member

Sabor – Member

Mace – Member

Chaz – Member – Bethany – O

Melody – C

Tanner – Member – Alexis – O

Lex – Member – Mackenzie – O

Hunter – Member – Annaleigh – O

Huntson – C

Mac – Prospect (Deceased)

D R M C O R I GI NA L S

O – OL’ LADY, C – CHILD

Stoney – Prez – Rachel – O

Horse (Scotty) – Stoney’s C

Luca – C

Corinne – C

Sebastian – C

Talon – C
Tracker – VP – Victoria – O

Jamie – C

Jason – C (adopted)

Blaze – Sergeant at Arms – Raven – O

Matthew – C

Mark – C

Coyote – Road Captain – Tinsley – O

Cody – C

Chase – C

Bear – Former Road Captain – Momma B – O (deceased)

Rage (Travis) – C

Jane – C (deceased)

Nerd – Tech – Cara – O

Shadow – Enforcer – Luna – O

Daniel – C

Ranger – Medic – Harlow – O

Venom – Secretary – Amaya – O

Lincoln – C

Whip – Chaplain

Viper – Treasurer
Neo – Member – Harley – O

Cane – Member – Parker – O

Piper – C

Cyprus – Member

Fist – Member

Aries – Member

D R M C T E NNE S S E E

O – OL’ LADY, C – CHILD

Blow – Prez

Nines –VP

Keys – Tech

Lucky – Sergeant at Arms

Shiner – Enforcer

Griz – Road Captain

Surge – Treasurer

Scorn – Chaplain

Sniper – Member – Rain – O

Nerd (Nick) – C

Storm – C

Flash – Member
Switchblade – Member

Torch – Member

DEVIL’SRIOTMCCOLORADO

Grinder – Prez

Blue – VP

Driver – Sergeant at Arms

Flicker – Road Captain

Wrecker – Enforcer

Tic – Tech

Beast – Treasurer

Rock – Chaplain

T R I GGE R W A R NI NG

This content is intended for mature audiences only. It contains


material that may be viewed as

offensive to some readers, including graphic language, dangerous


and sexual situations, murder, rape, and extreme violence.

Proceed with caution. This book does entail several scenes that may
very well be a trigger to some.

Also, tissues are a must with other scenes.

Not for the faint at heart.


If you don’t like violence and cannot handle certain subjects, then
this is not a book you’ll want to read.

Check out the Playlist that helped E.C. Land write Axe’s
Devotion.

Blame Me – Peyton Parrish

Sun Goes Down – Justin Champagne

Winds of Change – Struggle Jennings & Jelly Roll Feat. Yelawolf &
Tommy Vext

Whoever Broke Your Heart – Murphy Elmore

When I’m Gone – I4NI

Angel – Breaking Benjamin

Breathe Under Water – Nu Breed & Jesse Howard

Don’t Speak – Brabo Gator

Under Your Scars – Godsmack

Enter Sandman – Metallica

Devoted to You

To be devoted

Is to be loved

And cherished

To be devoted to you

Is to love you all the same


If you’re devoted to me

I hope you feel the way I do

Love me as I do

Trust me as I do

Nothing can come between two hearts

When they’re devoted to each other

You love them and devote to them

You give them everything

The way I do for you

I devoted my life to you

For my heart and soul is devoted

Only can you say the same

To be devoted

Is to love some one

And cherish them

Above all else

Are you able to say the words

I’m devoted to you

~ E.C. Land
P R O L O GU E

AXE

Three Months Ago

Standing at the graveside showing respect alongside my other


brothers as we watch a woman, who

we all had grown fond of since she came into our lives, is laid to
rest. I glance in the direction of my brother Gunner as he holds his
little girl, Delilah, in his arms.

How none of us knew that sweet little girl was his is beyond me?
Delilah looks so much like her

father it’s unreal. I don’t get why Quinn never told him until right
before she’d been killed in a fire.

My brother is hating himself for what happened and that he lost the
chance to work things out with

Quinn. Now he’s got to raise his daughter without her mom.
Sighing, I stand strong with him while Quinn’s casket is lowered into
the ground. One of the

triplets makes a sound from next to me and I turn to Malice, who’s


holding Gemini in his arms. Next

to him, Willow has tears falling down her cheeks as she holds Gates
in hers, while Lissa holds Gavin.

Reaching around Malice, I take Gates, who immediately starts to


calm down, from Willow. He’s my

little buddy, so is Gavin, for that matter.

Glancing further down, I notice my Prez has his arm around his ol’
lady while she holds their little

boy, Tate.

Today shouldn’t be like this.

We shouldn’t be burying a woman who shouldn’t have died because


of some piece of shit men

who think their balls are bigger than anyone else’s.

My thoughts go to a time I do my best to forget ever happened.

“Tracy, come on,” I yell through the door, trying to get my sister to
open up. I can hear her

tears and I hate it.

I always hate when she cries.

With our dad working all the time to support us, Mom ditched us for
some doctor and moved
on. I’m the only one left to look after my sister. Dad does what he
can, but Trace and I try not to put too much on him since he has so
much already.

“Tracy, open the door.” I pound my fist against the door when I hear
a thump and immediately

right after, the sounds of her cries cease. Throwing my shoulder into
the door, I finally get inside and stare in horror at my sister’s body
hanging from the ceiling fan.

“Tracy,” I scream her name. I grab her desk chair, pull it close to her,
and stand on it. With as much effort as I can, I untie the noose
she’d made. Tears spill down my cheeks as I know she’s

already gone.

Jumping from the chair with Tracy’s still warm body in my arms, I lay
her on her bed and call

911 and then my dad. After hanging up with my dad, I don’t move
from where I sit with my sister.

What happened to cause her to kill herself? Why when I’d been right
here willing to listen to

her?

Fuck.

I inwardly shake my head to stop the thoughts. There’s nothing I


can do about the past. After the

police and coroner’s office took Tracy’s body, I’d found the letter
she’d written. She’d apologized

and couldn’t bear living anymore after what happened. Four guys
gang-raped her at the school. Since
she didn’t name those who raped her in the letter, the police said
there wasn’t much they could do but look into it.

They didn’t find the fuckers who caused Tracy to kill herself, but I
did. And when I did, I put them

in the ground where no one would find them. Shit, there hadn’t even
been much of the bodies left to

bury when I finished.

See, I’m called Axe for a reason. I have no problem cutting into a
body with an axe. It doesn’t

bother me seeing the tip of my weapon of choice slicing through


flesh and severing body parts from

their owner. No, I’ll smile doing it, just the way I did when I took
care of those who hurt my sister.

I’m even known for putting those parts in a woodchipper after. Only
then do I put the remains in the

ground.

I don’t trust easily and now that we’ve lost another woman who
meant something to me, I’ll do

what I have to, to make sure nothing happens to the others.

I’m devoted to my club and, in doing so, the women who are with
my brothers.
CHAPTERONE

CJ

Two Weeks Ago

“You know you don’t have to leave, right?” I close my eyes and hold
back from groaning at my ex-

boss/friend, Kenny’s voice.

I’d met her when I first moved here two years ago and quickly
became friends with her and the

rest of the ol’ ladies who come into Outlaw Racks. Hell, I’d even
made friends with several of their

men who are members of the Devil’s Riot MC.

Which was my mistake. I knew becoming friends with any of them


had the potential for disaster. It

happens every time. I move somewhere, it’s good in the beginning


only to have things happen and
those around me end up getting hurt. That or they end up leaving
me when they find out the truth.

I refuse to allow something to happen to Kenny or any of the others


around here. They all have

kids to take care of and from what I’ve heard, they’ve been through
enough in their life to deal with anything else.

I finish loading the last of my boxes into the back of my truck, which
I’d bought when I first

moved here. I turn to look at Kenny and see the concern in her
eyes. She’s a ballsy woman, but I’ve

learned she’s got a heart of gold. It’s why I’m leaving now to keep
anything from happening to her. Or anyone else.

The threats started a couple months ago, and I won’t let those
threats be carried out.

I swear to them, it’s just a game that has ruined my life, but to me,
it’s life or death as I do what I can to survive. It’s why at twenty-
four, I’m still a virgin with no hopes of finding someone to be with.

Plus, I know if they find out I’ve lost the one thing they want most,
hell will be reaped not on just me anymore but my little sister who
lives in Alabama with her adoptive parents.

Our parents died when we were just kids and where my aunt and
uncle took me into their care,

they threw Apricot away like she was nothing. Yes, my sister’s name
is Apricot. Mine’s Citrus, which

is why I go by my initials, CJ.


Anyway, I survive to give her the life she deserves to have. I’ve
looked into her family and they

protect her in a way I’m thankful for. Marcus, her stepdad, has
offered many times for me to come

there and stay with them, but I refuse. I sometimes think he knows.
He’s a member of the Toxic

Warriors MC down there and gives my sister all the affection a girl
should get from a father. I

sometimes wish I could go down there and live a happy life.

Then I think about what will happen if they find me there and decide
they’ll go for Apricot as

well. I don’t want that to happen.

“This is for the best. I need a change in scenery,” I say, hoping she
believes me.

Nodding, Kenny sighs. “Okay, fine, but you’re going down to South
Carolina to take that

management position I told you about, right?”

“Yeah, I’ve already spoken to Hammer from the club and told him
I’m heading that way. He’s got

a house ready for me to rent and everything,” I mutter, thinking of


the conversation I’d had with the man.

He’d asked questions about my experience with bars and I’d been
honest. I’ve been working in

them since I was sixteen and could get a fake ID. It’s at this age, I
ran away from home and never
looked back. From there, I lived in my car that I’d bought dirt cheap.

Damnit. I don’t like the fact I’d been so forthcoming with my history.
Maybe it’s ‘cause he’d had

his ol’ lady, Avery, talk to me first, to butter me up. I don’t know.

All I know is he knew things I didn’t want him to and now I gotta
hope he keeps that shit to

himself like I’d asked. I don’t want people knowing my life story and
I intend to be keeping to myself when I’m not working.

“Okay, well, you better keep in touch as much as possible. I want to


know how it’s going down

there,” Kenny states with a smile in place. The sound of motorcycles


coming down the road has her

smile brightening even more so.

I envy her relationship with Horse. In my opinion, they complement


each other and show their

affection toward one another as much as possible.

“I’ll keep you up to date. But I’ve gotta get on the road if I want to
make it down there in a decent amount of time without dealing with
a lot of traffic,” I murmur, not wanting to leave but at the same time
having no choice.

From the last threat I received, it was directed to Kenny and her
daughter. I couldn’t let any of that happen to them.

Kenny hugs me, and I climb up into the driver’s seat as several
motorcycles pull up next to

Kenny’s SUV.
I give them all a wave and start the truck. Putting the ignition in
gear, I pull out of the driveway, turn left and head for my next place
to call home for the time being.

Way too many hours later, I’m finally pulling into the driveway of my
home. It seems everything that

could go wrong on the way down did. First, I ended up getting rear-
ended by this little Honda. They

did more damage to their car and barely scratched my bumper. Then
after stopping for gas to top off

my tank, my phone rang with a message from an unknown number.

Run and hide again. Time ticks by and time speeds up. Don’t
worry, mouse, the cat will catch

you again and next time will be the last time for this little
game to end.

My heart lurched and I’d started to panic as I read the message


nearly twenty times before putting

my phone down.

I finished pumping gas and got back on the road without worrying
about food or stopping for

anything else. Of course, when I get about an hour away from my


new home, I have a tire blow on me,

and I ended up on the side of the road. Thankfully, I had my spare


and I knew how to change my own

damn tire.
Now finally pulling into the driveway, I’m both physically and
mentally exhausted. I put the truck

in park and shut the motor down. Opening the driver’s door, I hop
down and head for the front door

and bend down to snag the key from under the mat where Hammer
and Avery told me they’d put it.

Men’s voices can be heard from across the street, and I look to see
several motorcycles parked in

the driveway. A little girl squeals and runs around the men’s feet as
she plays. Sighing, I pray I’m

about to keep them from coming around me. Unlocking the door, I
take a moment to examine the inside

of the house. They’d said it would be furnished, which was good


since I didn’t have any furniture.

Once I have the lay of the house, I go back outside and start to
unload the back of my truck, more

than ready to pass out. I ignore the offers of help with a wave of my
hand and finish what I’m doing.

With the last box in tow, I close the tailgate and head for the door,
not missing the fact the men are watching me.

I’m used to the stares, it’s not uncommon. I get them all the time.
See, I’ve not only got a unique

name, but I have the hair to go with it along with the scars to go
along with it all. I guess you can say that’s another reason I’m still a
virgin.
Maybe, I don’t know. All I know is this time around, or until they
finally do catch up to me, I’ll

make sure they never hurt someone again. My aunt and uncle see
me as their slave to do with as they

please. My uncle claims he owns my body, where my aunt has her


own claim. She preferred to beat

me while my uncle found other ways to do his infliction of pain.

When they were bored with me and wanted something new, they’d
throw me to the wolves. This

was when the cat and mouse game started, and now they want it to
come to an end.

Guess one way or another, I’ll be ending it once and for all, dead or
alive. But I won’t be going

back there. No way in hell will I allow them to hurt me anymore than
they already have.

CHAPTERTWO
AXE

Present Day

After Quinn’s funeral, I took a trip down to Alabama to visit with


Simone. I’m not sure what I

expected to find down there. Maybe a sense of something other


than failure.

I met Simone a while back, up at the National charters clubhouse


when she’d still been fucked up

on that shit they’d put in her system. Seeing her the way she was, I
couldn’t help but want to help her.

She’d been out of her mind with hysteria and, worst of all, pregnant
with one of her rapists’ baby

when the club found her in that warehouse.

When she’d given birth, during one of the lucid moments of time,
she’d given the baby to Tracker

and his ol’ lady. She didn’t want anything to do with it and no one
could blame her. I’d brought her to our clubhouse to help her, and
she’d been doing good except for she’d have a setback when she
heard

the slobber-crawlers’ noises when they were being fucked.

We ended up putting her in a mental institution down in Alabama


near the Toxic Warriors MC and

they’ve been keeping an eye on her for us. Viking, the club’s
President, let me crash at their clubhouse while I’d been down
visiting with Simone.
Over the past few months, I’ve gone down to check on her more
often. This last time, I’d been

surprised to see her actually smiling. The doctors even allowed me


to take her outside to have lunch

in the fresh air rather than inside.

I left Simone with the promise to be back in a few weeks to visit.


The entire ride back to the

clubhouse, I thought about the possibility of her getting well enough


to leave the facility for good.

I pull up to the clubhouse, park next to Malice’s motorcycle, put the


kickstand down, and climb

off. My thoughts switch from Simone to finding one of the slobber-


crawlers and have them in my

room for the rest of the day.

I grin at the thought of the name Willow had given the clubwhores.
Making my way to the door, I

open it and step inside. I find Hammer and Malice sitting at a table
with Gunner. My chest tightens for my brother and I wish I could
help him through this shit he’s going through.

Heading to the bar, I snag the beer a prospect holds out for me.
Switching direction, I stride over

to their table, taking a swig of the cold brew.

“How was your trip?” Malice asks when I take a seat next to him.

“Good. She’s doing really good there at that place. They let me take
her out of the building for
lunch and we spent some time outside,” I tell them, leaning back in
the chair.

“Good to hear, brother,” Hammer says, nodding.

“Yeah, so what’s been happenin’ here?” I left two weeks ago for my
trip, needing to enjoy the

road for a bit. I took my time with my trip down, having gone down
to Daytona and then rode up the

gulf coast to ride up into Alabama.

The trip had been good wind therapy and I’d stayed a day or two
along the way while gone.

Fucked a couple random bitches along the way and had a damn
good time doing it. With the way I’m

protective of Simone, a few people have asked if I’m in a


relationship with her.

The answer to that question is no. To me, she’s become family and I
feel protective of her in a

way I did with my sister. I couldn’t help save Tracy when she’d been
hurt, but with Simone, I’m doing everything I can to keep her from
hurting herself.

I figure until I find the right one for me the way my Prez and VP did,
I’ll fuck who the hell I want.

When the day comes and she walks into my life, I’ll be sure to stake
my claim and hold on tight.

“The new manager started and she’s damn good at running the bar
now that it’s open again,”
Hammer announces, giving Gunner a sideways glance. I take my
brother’s expression in to find him

clenching his jaw.

We haven’t caught up with the fuckers who started the fire, but we’ll
find them soon enough.

Avery’s siblings are slippery weasels that need a bullet in their


heads.

“So Kenny’s recommendation is working out okay?” I ask cautiously.

“Yeah, CJ’s a damn good bartender and handles the staff with a firm
hand. She moved into

Avery’s old place.” I nod, remembering him saying they were renting
the house out to the new

manager.

“That’s good, but the question is what skeletons does she have
hiding in her closet,” I grumble.

I’m not trying to be negative about the woman, but we’ve had
enough shit happen around here lately.

We don’t need more. Not when we’re in a calmly tense time right
now as we wait for the next foot to

fall after what happened with not only Quinn’s death but Malice’s
father declaring war.

“Twister and Horse both vouch for her. According to them, they
know she’s got something she

keeps close to her chest, but it didn’t touch any of them. They asked
that we keep our eyes open but
don’t expect her to open up or get close with anyone in the club,”
Hammer mutters, lifting his head to look behind me and grins.

I don’t have to turn around to know who’s caught his eye. Ever since
Avery entered our Prez’s

life, he’s a hell of a lot happier than I’ve ever seen.

“I don’t like it,” Gunner grumbles.

“Do you see her when she’s at the house?” Malice asks.

“The woman doesn’t speak to anyone. Hell, she didn’t even ask for
help in getting her shit in the

house,” Gunner remarks with a shrug. “Delilah tried to get her


attention the other day, but other than a quick wave and smile, she
walked straight into her place without a word.” I still find it strange

Gunner’s a dad. More than that, he’s Delilah’s dad and her mom,
even being around the clubhouse,

kept that from him.

“Guess she definitely likes to stay secluded,” Hammer mutters.

Maybe.

“Want me to check things out?” My curiosity is piqued now. If she’s


hiding something, I can find

out. It’s not like women aren’t drawn to me. I could easily have her
talking while I have her body

writhing beneath my own.

“Yeah, see what you can find out,” Hammer says with a curt nod.
Grinning, I figure I might as well get to it—no time like the present.

She’s an outsider working in our bar. Until I know more about her, I
won’t rest easy. Trust only

goes so far and this CJ chick hasn’t earned an inkling of ours.

CHAPTERTHREE

CJ

“Hey, CJ, can I get another round for our table?” Tory, one of my
regular customers, asks, coming up

to the bar.

For a weeknight, it’s bustling around here.

I’ve worked in small-town bars and big-time bars. It’s all the same
and you have your different

clientele. Some are your regulars, others being weekenders, then


there’re the ones who cause the

problems. I can always sense those out and keep an eye on them.
Hammer, the President of the club that owns this bar, has two
members of the club here every

night to play security. We seem to have a system between us that


shows us when it comes to problems

ensuing.

Tonight’s guys are Colt and Carbine. Still, though, a few others had
come in to have a drink and to

shoot some pool. I don’t know if they have pool tournaments, but it
would be cool to do here. The

club has a great setup here at their bar. Eight pool tables are set up
through the building, tables sit to one side, a dance floor in front of
the stage they have for live bands on the weekends. The bar itself is
long and spacious for me to move around behind. There’re two
hallways off either side of the bar.

One side is for employees only. It’s where my office is for doing
paperwork. The other one leads to

the restrooms and an emergency exit.

“You got it, hun,” I call out while getting those drinks.

Out of the corner of my eye, I notice a man I’d not seen yet greet
Colt and Carbine. They talk the

entire time I set up Tory’s order.

I hand her the four glasses of draft brew that’s from the local
brewery. It’s a hit with all the

regulars who come in. Devore Brew is definitely one of a kind.


“Thank you, CJ, you rock,” Tory giggles and tilts her head to look at
the guy who’d come in. “Hey,

Axe, long time no see,” she purrs.

Instead of responding with words, Axe gives her a jerk of the chin
while grinning. He then turns

his attention to me.

“What can I get you?” I ask the newcomer, taking him in. Wearing a
solid white t-shirt with his cut

over it, it emphasizes his chest and the tattoos on his arms. I love
tattoos, it’s why I have my entire back done now, thanks to Burner
up in Franklin. He covered scars on my back that could be hidden

while making the ones he couldn’t not stand out. He mixed them
into the background of the tattoo,

bringing the tiger to life with a woman blended into it.

“I’ll take a Jack and Coke for right now,” Axe says gruffly while
bracing his arms on the bar in

front of him when he sits.

“Coming right up,” I murmur, turning away from him to go make him
his drink. I can feel his eyes

on me the entire time I have my back turned.

The hairs on the back of my neck stand up, causing me to become


nervous. Quickly I finish making

his drink and hand it to him. “Here you go,” I murmur, placing it in
front of him.
“Thanks, babe,” Axe says, giving me a grin that goes straight
between my legs. His voice alone is

beautiful and makes me want to hear it all night.

Nope don’t go there. You can’t let yourself be pulled in. He’s just
another man looking for a night

with a woman. It won’t be me. It can’t. Besides, if it wasn’t for the


fact my hair is done in a way to hide it, he’d see I’m far too flawed
for a man like him.

None of the guys from the MC or my customers, for that matter,


have been able to see the scars I

bear. In fact, even up in Virginia, I kept the scars hidden as much as


possible only two people saw

them.

Inwardly shaking my head, I give Axe a curt nod and go about my


business taking care of my

customers. The night wears down and it’s time to do the last call.
Axe has stayed in his spot the entire time watching me.

Once the doors are closed behind the last customer, he’s still sitting
there. During the weekend, I

have a hand full of waitresses to help out. On a weeknight, I have


two. Sage and Meadow are my two

full-timers who work throughout the week. Asa, Fallon, and Nova
work the weekends and rotate

through the week if Sage or Meadow need extra help.


Colt flicks the lock on the doors and sighs exaggeratedly. “Finally.
This place was packed

tonight.”

“Yeah, swear it use to never be this crowded before the remodel,”


Carbine mutters, stretching his

arms.

Axe grunts something while lifting his tumbler up to his lips to finish
it off.

I do my best to get things cleaned up without paying any attention


to what’s going on with them.

Sage and Meadow finish up the floor first and come up to the bar to
cash out.

“If we have more nights like this one, we’re going to need to get
Asa, Fallon, or Nova to come in

and help out. We were barely able to keep up. I mean, shoot, Tory
even took it upon herself to get her tables drinks,” Sage says,
seeming exhausted.

“We do that, then we lose out on the awesome tips like we received
tonight,” Meadow retorts,

bouncing on her feet. She’s always in a giddy mood and willing to do


whatever.

Smiling genuinely, I had them their tips. “I’ll see you tomorrow
night.”

“You bet, CJ. Hope tomorrow is as good as tonight in tips,” Meadow


states, pulling away from
the bar and heading toward the doors.

“Come on, you two, let’s get you out of here. The sooner we get you
out, the sooner we get CJ out,

the sooner I can get back to the clubhouse and crash,” Carbine
mutters, unlocking the door.

“You could always come to my place, Carbine,” Meadow purrs.

Freakin’ purrs.

“Baby, you couldn’t handle what I got,” Carbine chuckles, eyeing the
woman.

Shaking my head, I tune them out and go about getting ready to get
out of here.

“You two head on out. I’ll make sure CJ here gets to her car safely,”
Axe announces, finally

speaking for the first time, besides requesting his drinks.

And oh, what his voice does to my body.

Damnit.

I won’t let anything happen.

I can’t trust him or anyone else for that matter. It’s only ever going
to be me that I can trust and

that’s the way it’ll stay.


CHAPTERFOUR

AXE

Sitting at this bar all night, I didn’t know what to expect from this
woman. Seeing the way she

interacted with the patrons who sat at the bar, the ones who came
up to get their refills from her, and the waitresses, it’s like she has
honey wrapped around her and they were all bees attracted to the

sweetness.

I’ve never felt jealous over a woman giving her attention to anyone
before and now I’m feeling it

with this woman.

CJ.

Talk about one hell of a beautiful woman with bright reddish-blonde


hair, hazel eyes, and a body

to make you wish to see what’s underneath the clothes. Fuckin’


beautiful with her curves in all the
right places.

The entire night besides filling my glass with what I ordered, she
ignored me for the most part. I

stayed until closing, waiting for a moment to speak to her. I figure


she couldn’t ignore me if I’m the only one around.

Only she’s got a way of keeping herself busy cleaning up and getting
the bar ready for the next

night.

When she’s finally ready to go, CJ doesn’t say a word. I stand at the
door, watching her every

move as she turns off the lights hanging on the walls.

“You got everything?” I ask when she stops near me.

“Yep,” she murmurs with a quick nod, not meeting my gaze.

“Then let’s get you out of here, darlin’.” I smile, seeing the challenge
within her and I, for one,

intend on accepting the chance to find out what’s behind the walls
she’s got up.

And those walls are so fuckin’ high, I swear she wears them like a
cloak of armor.

“Don’t call me darlin’,” she mutters, walking past me and out the
door.

“Okay, then I’ll call you sweetheart, or better yet, Sunbeam. Yeah, I
like Sunbeam,” I chuckle.
“Don’t call me those either. I have a name, so use it,” she snaps,
stomping toward her truck.

“I know you got a name, but I prefer to call you Sunbeam,” I


announce, catching up to her after

making sure the bar’s door is locked. I wrap a hand around her arm
and stop her before she can get to her truck. “Why did you ignore
me while being nice to everyone else?” I ask the question before

realizing I allowed the words to come out.

“Excuse me? Does the world revolve around you and I didn’t know?
Thanks for the memo. But I

think I’ll pass on getting to know you. I don’t need or want to. So
excuse me for not wanting to stand there chit-chatting with you like
we’re BFFs when we’re nothing. Now let me go and leave me

alone,” CJ yells, pulling her arm from my grip and turns to storm the
rest of the way to her truck.

What the fuck?

I was simply fuckin’ with her trying to get her to lighten up and she
goes off on me.

With each step CJ takes to her truck, I take one right in her direction
like something draws me to

her.

“Why do you want me to leave you alone?” I ask in a hushed tone.

“Because I want to be left alone,” she snaps back.

Fuck if this woman isn’t prickly.


Getting closer to her truck, she reaches out and opens the driver’s
door. “You did your job, now

leave. I’m fine and I’ll be fine,” she mutters, keeping her face away
from me.

“Sunbeam, I don’t think you’ve ever been fine,” I murmur, thinking


of the scar I’d seen that she’d

been trying to hide. But during clean-up, she’d moved her hair just
enough I’d seen a peek of it, and it makes my blood boil to know
someone could hurt this beautiful woman.

“Well, no one asked you to think of me, so carry on with your merry
little life, get on your bike

and go.” Hopping into the driver’s seat, she closes the door before I
can retort.

What the fuck?

I stand there and watch as she starts the truck. It rumbles to life.
The exhaust system she has on it sounds beautiful. Not extremely
loud like some of the dumbasses who think it’s okay to have it be

obnoxiously loud. No, hers is just right.

Stepping back, I keep my gaze on the driver’s window as she backs


out of her spot and puts the

gear in drive. If I weren’t watching so carefully, I would’ve missed


the glimpse she’d given me in her side-view mirror. What I saw does
something to my heart I don’t understand.

I shove my hands in my front pockets and watch as she drives away,


thinking about the look in her

eyes—one of regret.
As much as I’d love nothing more than to find out what she’s
thinking or what that look meant, I

know now is not the time. I see with her it’s going to take more than
just me getting between her legs.

Shaking my head, I sigh, turn to my bike, and climb on. My mind


goes down a path I didn’t want to

go as I start her up.

The night air cool but not cold.

The air is crispy, same as the second tragic night that turned my
world upside down. One where I

lost the last of what I loved most.

The police stand there on my porch as I open the door. It’s my


eighteenth birthday. Dad and I

are heading out in a bit to go out after he got off work. He always
did something with Tracy and

me for our birthdays, tonight being no different. Well, except for the
fact my sister’s no longer with us.

Dad’s supposed to be here any minute. He texted me almost an hour


ago when he left work that

he was heading home. We’ve been closer than ever since my sister
killed herself. The man didn’t

want me to feel his grief of losing her on top of my own.

“Are you Aiden Wyatt’s son?” one of the two officers standing on the
porch questions.
“Yeah, is there something I can help you with?” I ask, licking my
suddenly dry lips.

“Can we come in and speak to you?” the second speaks up, and I
don’t miss the remorse in his

eyes.

“What’s going on?” I demand, not worrying about inviting them in.

“Son, I’m sorry. There was an incident this evening. Your father was
killed when he stopped to

get gas.” Blood rushes to my head, and I can’t hear anymore


through it all. Lifting my hands to my head, I can’t listen to more.
Not when they’re saying my dad’s dead.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

This shit can’t be happening.

That night I swore I wouldn’t let anyone get close to me again.


Other than the men I call my

brothers. They kept me sane when all I wanted to do was cause


destruction around me. If it weren’t

for Hammer and his brother at the time, I would be in the ground
myself by now.

Letting out a deep breath, I hit the throttle and take the curves as I
always do when I’m thinking. I didn’t think I’d let anyone else in my
life again. Now I’ve let Simone into it. She might not be family, but I
care for her and only want what’s best for her. Nothing about her
makes me attracted to her in

any way but friendship.


With CJ, though, somehow, with just the small amount of connection
I felt, I want more.

Why?

I don’t fuckin’ know.

What I do know, however, is if this is the same feeling my brothers


felt when they’d met their ol’

ladies, then I’m not giving up. I won’t waste a chance to be with a
woman who makes not only my

cock harder than ever but also makes my heartbeat for the first time
other than to pump blood into my veins.

I just need to come up with a plan now to claim the woman and
make her mine.

CHAPTERFIVE

CJ

It’s been almost a week since the encounter with Axe in the parking
lot, and my heart hurts every day that I haven’t seen him.
Another random document with
no related content on Scribd:
cloth of gold. All the splendid chivalry of Castile were present; some,
representatives of ancient and illustrious houses who traced their
lineage back to the court of Roderick; others, whose patents of
nobility of more recent date had been won in long and honorable
warfare against the infidel. Among these were to be seen the white
turban and striped burnous of the Arab, who would have resented
the epithets of traitor and renegade, but who, actuated by inherited
prejudice or tribal jealousy, had not hesitated to draw his sword
against his brethren. Not less conspicuous than the nobles were the
prelates, in full canonicals, preceded by Cardinal Mendoza, Primate
of Spain, one of whose attendants bore the massive cross, still
preserved in the Cathedral of Toledo, soon to be raised, symbolizing
the triumph of Christian over Moorish superstition, on the loftiest
tower of the Alhambra. The heralds who preceded the royal escort
were dressed in tabards emblazoned with the arms of Castile and
Leon in silver, gold, and scarlet. In the centre of a brilliant group
came Isabella, attired in rich brocade and mounted upon a white
palfrey, whose housings of embroidered velvet swept the ground.
There, too, was Ferdinand, proud, stern, impassive; his stolid
features bearing no evidence of the exultation he must have felt, yet
willing to concede to his martial consort the larger portion of the
credit attaching to the crowning glory of the Christian cause. Around
the monarchs were assembled the princes of the blood, the great
dignitaries of the realm in their robes and bearing their insignia of
office, the haughty grandees, the female members of the Queen’s
household in splendid costumes and glittering jewels, the famous
warriors whose prowess had made their names familiar to every
nation in Europe,—sheathed in polished steel, with lance and
buckler, with pennon and heraldic device,—in all a picture worthily
representing the pomp and the magnificence, the pride and the
renown, of the Spanish monarchy. As the splendid procession swept
forward amidst the blare of trumpets, the strains of martial music, the
waving of banners, and the tumultuous applause of thousands, and
halted on an elevation near the Genil, a gate of the Alhambra swung
slowly open. From it issued a band of horsemen, whose appearance
and dress indicated that their origin and customs were foreign to the
continent of Europe. At their head rode a cavalier encased in armor
exquisitely damascened, and whose fair complexion and tawny
beard offered a striking contrast to the swarthy features of those who
formed his retinue. The latter were clothed in flowing robes of silk
woven in stripes of every hue, revealing, when moved by the
morning breeze, shining coats of mail and scimetars set with gems
and inlaid with gold.
The interview of the sovereigns was short and almost devoid of
ceremony. Obsequious to the last, Boabdil attempted to dismount
and kiss the hand of his conqueror, but the Spanish King, with
generous and unaffected courtesy, prevented this act of voluntary
abasement, insisted on his remaining mounted, and received the
kiss upon his sleeve. With a few words, which betrayed the
bitterness of his mortification and anguish, the Moslem prince
surrendered the keys of the city to Ferdinand. He gave them to
Isabella, and she, in turn, transferred these evidences of possession
and sovereignty to the Count of Tendilla, who had been appointed
Governor of Granada. The latter, with many nobles as escort and a
garrison of five thousand men, without delay entered and took
possession of the Alhambra, and raised upon the tower of Comares
the gold and silver cross of the Archiepiscopate of Toledo, the royal
ensign, and the consecrated standard of Santiago. The appearance
of the sacred emblem and the familiar banners upon the battlements
of the Moorish citadel aroused the wildest enthusiasm among the
spectators. The priests of the royal chapel chanted the Te Deum
Laudamus. Thousands of gray and battle-scarred veterans fell upon
their knees and wept for joy. The heralds, in all the magnificence of
their striking costumes, made proclamation, by sound of trumpet,
that the authority of the Moslems had forever vanished from the
Peninsula in the words, “Castilla! Castilla! Granada! Granada! por los
reyes Don Fernando y Doña Isabel?” The stately Castilian nobles, in
the glittering panoply of war, one after another, then came forward,
knelt before Isabella, and kissed her hand in homage for her newly
acquired dignity as Queen of Granada.
Followed by the principal Moorish officials, some of whom,
including the vizier, were secret renegades and in the pay of
Ferdinand, Boabdil retired to his dominions in the Alpujarras. Even
there he was not destined to remain long in tranquillity. Subjected to
ceaseless espionage, his every word and action were reported to
Hernando de Zafra, secretary of the Catholic monarchs. Despite his
apparent apathy, his presence was considered a menace to the
public peace, especially when the discontent arising from open
violations of the treaty began to be manifested. Emissaries were sent
to attempt the purchase of his estates and to suggest the probable
dangers of insurrection, as contrasted with the advantages of
voluntary exile. This failing of success, a bolder plan was resolved
upon. The false vizier, Ibn-Comixa, was induced to assume an
authority which he did not possess, to sell to the Spanish Crown the
possessions of the princes of the Moorish dynasty of Granada, and
to even stipulate, in detail, the time and manner of their departure
from Spain. The price this corrupt and treacherous agent received
for his services was never known. The rights of Boabdil and his
family thus were disposed of, without their consent, for the paltry
sum of twenty-one thousand doubloons of gold. When apprised by
his unblushing minister of the manner in which he had been
betrayed, he drew his sword, and Ibn-Comixa only saved his life by
instant flight. The unfortunate prince well knew who had suggested
the employment of this ignoble and perfidious artifice, and that it
would be dangerous, as well as useless, to attempt to repudiate a
measure which, dictated by cunning, would certainly be enforced by
violence. He therefore ratified the spurious contract, received in
exchange for his estates and all claims upon the crown nine millions
of maravedis; and, on the fourteenth of October, 1493, sailed with all
his household for Africa, where the Sultan of Fez had offered him an
asylum. Thirty-four years afterwards he fell in battle, fighting bravely
in the service of his benefactor against the savage mountaineers of
the Atlas. His body, never recovered, remained unburied in the
Desert, under a strange sky, far from the scene of his early triumphs,
his misfortunes, and his disgrace.
Thus ended the implacable contest waged by Christian and
Moslem so long and so desperately in the southwestern corner of
Europe. To the heroic queen of Ferdinand is to be attributed the
success of the last campaign of that portentous struggle. It was her
administrative ability that regulated the internal affairs of the
kingdom, suppressed lawlessness, established order, restored public
confidence, developed the resources and consolidated the strength
of a powerful and warlike nation. Her martial genius was ever with
the army, whether encouraging it by her presence on the march or
collecting and transporting supplies over mountain paths beset by
bold and cunning enemies; ever animating the living, ever aiding and
consoling the relatives of the dead. She was universally recognized
as the head and front of the crusade; every opinion was tacitly
subordinated to her judgment; her advice was sought in all important
undertakings; her cheerful personality brought courage and
enthusiasm to the disheartened camp; her masculine spirit did not
shrink from participation in the exposure of a reconnoissance or from
the certain and omnipresent dangers of the field of battle. In the
closing scenes of the eventful drama hers was the prominent figure.
On the day of the capitulation, she alone carried the sceptre and
wore the crown, tacitly belying the motto, “Tanto Monta,” which
admitted the equality of Aragon; it was her hand which bestowed the
keys of the city and the authority of governor on her hereditary
vassal, the Count of Tendilla; it was “Castile” that the heralds
proclaimed from the highest battlements of the palace; it was not
before the politic craft of Ferdinand that the haughty aristocracy of
the North bowed with profound and graceful obeisance in
acknowledgment of the sovereignty of a newly conquered realm, but
before the eminent talents, the earnest piety, the affable but majestic
and ever impressive dignity of Isabella the Catholic, Queen of Castile
and Granada.

END OF VOLUME II.

Transcriber’s Notes:

1. Obvious printers’, punctuation and spelling errors have been corrected


silently.

2. Where hyphenation is in doubt, it has been retained as in the original.

3. Some hyphenated and non-hyphenated versions of the same words have


been retained as in the original.
*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HISTORY OF
THE MOORISH EMPIRE IN EUROPE, VOL. 2 (OF 3) ***

Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will
be renamed.

Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S.


copyright law means that no one owns a United States copyright in
these works, so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it
in the United States without permission and without paying copyright
royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part of
this license, apply to copying and distributing Project Gutenberg™
electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG™ concept
and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and
may not be used if you charge for an eBook, except by following the
terms of the trademark license, including paying royalties for use of
the Project Gutenberg trademark. If you do not charge anything for
copies of this eBook, complying with the trademark license is very
easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose such as
creation of derivative works, reports, performances and research.
Project Gutenberg eBooks may be modified and printed and given
away—you may do practically ANYTHING in the United States with
eBooks not protected by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject
to the trademark license, especially commercial redistribution.

START: FULL LICENSE


THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK

To protect the Project Gutenberg™ mission of promoting the free


distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work (or
any other work associated in any way with the phrase “Project
Gutenberg”), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full
Project Gutenberg™ License available with this file or online at
www.gutenberg.org/license.

Section 1. General Terms of Use and


Redistributing Project Gutenberg™
electronic works
1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg™
electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree
to and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all
the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or
destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works in your
possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a
Project Gutenberg™ electronic work and you do not agree to be
bound by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from
the person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in
paragraph 1.E.8.

1.B. “Project Gutenberg” is a registered trademark. It may only be


used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people
who agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a
few things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg™ electronic
works even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.
See paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with
Project Gutenberg™ electronic works if you follow the terms of this
agreement and help preserve free future access to Project
Gutenberg™ electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below.
1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation (“the
Foundation” or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the
collection of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works. Nearly all the
individual works in the collection are in the public domain in the
United States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in
the United States and you are located in the United States, we do
not claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing,
performing, displaying or creating derivative works based on the
work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of
course, we hope that you will support the Project Gutenberg™
mission of promoting free access to electronic works by freely
sharing Project Gutenberg™ works in compliance with the terms of
this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg™ name
associated with the work. You can easily comply with the terms of
this agreement by keeping this work in the same format with its
attached full Project Gutenberg™ License when you share it without
charge with others.

1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also
govern what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most
countries are in a constant state of change. If you are outside the
United States, check the laws of your country in addition to the terms
of this agreement before downloading, copying, displaying,
performing, distributing or creating derivative works based on this
work or any other Project Gutenberg™ work. The Foundation makes
no representations concerning the copyright status of any work in
any country other than the United States.

1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:

1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other


immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg™ License must
appear prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg™
work (any work on which the phrase “Project Gutenberg” appears, or
with which the phrase “Project Gutenberg” is associated) is
accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, copied or distributed:
This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United
States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with
almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away
or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License
included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you
are not located in the United States, you will have to check the
laws of the country where you are located before using this
eBook.

1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg™ electronic work is derived


from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not contain a
notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the copyright
holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in the
United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are
redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase “Project
Gutenberg” associated with or appearing on the work, you must
comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through
1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project
Gutenberg™ trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.

1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg™ electronic work is posted


with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any
additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms
will be linked to the Project Gutenberg™ License for all works posted
with the permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of
this work.

1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project


Gutenberg™ License terms from this work, or any files containing a
part of this work or any other work associated with Project
Gutenberg™.

1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this


electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
Gutenberg™ License.
1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form,
including any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you
provide access to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg™ work
in a format other than “Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other format used in
the official version posted on the official Project Gutenberg™ website
(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense
to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means
of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original “Plain
Vanilla ASCII” or other form. Any alternate format must include the
full Project Gutenberg™ License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.

1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,


performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg™ works
unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.

1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing


access to or distributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works
provided that:

• You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
the use of Project Gutenberg™ works calculated using the
method you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The
fee is owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg™ trademark,
but he has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to
the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty
payments must be paid within 60 days following each date on
which you prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your
periodic tax returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked
as such and sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
Foundation at the address specified in Section 4, “Information
about donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
Foundation.”

• You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who


notifies you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that
s/he does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg™
License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all
copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and
discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of Project
Gutenberg™ works.

• You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of


any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in
the electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90
days of receipt of the work.

• You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
distribution of Project Gutenberg™ works.

1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg™


electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the manager of
the Project Gutenberg™ trademark. Contact the Foundation as set
forth in Section 3 below.

1.F.

1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend


considerable effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe
and proofread works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating
the Project Gutenberg™ collection. Despite these efforts, Project
Gutenberg™ electronic works, and the medium on which they may
be stored, may contain “Defects,” such as, but not limited to,
incomplete, inaccurate or corrupt data, transcription errors, a
copyright or other intellectual property infringement, a defective or
damaged disk or other medium, a computer virus, or computer
codes that damage or cannot be read by your equipment.

1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except


for the “Right of Replacement or Refund” described in paragraph
1.F.3, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner
of the Project Gutenberg™ trademark, and any other party
distributing a Project Gutenberg™ electronic work under this
agreement, disclaim all liability to you for damages, costs and
expenses, including legal fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO
REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY, BREACH OF
WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE
FOUNDATION, THE TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY
DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE LIABLE
TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL,
PUNITIVE OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE
NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.

1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you


discover a defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it,
you can receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by
sending a written explanation to the person you received the work
from. If you received the work on a physical medium, you must
return the medium with your written explanation. The person or entity
that provided you with the defective work may elect to provide a
replacement copy in lieu of a refund. If you received the work
electronically, the person or entity providing it to you may choose to
give you a second opportunity to receive the work electronically in
lieu of a refund. If the second copy is also defective, you may
demand a refund in writing without further opportunities to fix the
problem.

1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth in
paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you ‘AS-IS’, WITH NO
OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED,
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.

1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied


warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted
by the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any
provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the
Foundation, the trademark owner, any agent or employee of the
Foundation, anyone providing copies of Project Gutenberg™
electronic works in accordance with this agreement, and any
volunteers associated with the production, promotion and distribution
of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works, harmless from all liability,
costs and expenses, including legal fees, that arise directly or
indirectly from any of the following which you do or cause to occur:
(a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg™ work, (b)
alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any Project
Gutenberg™ work, and (c) any Defect you cause.

Section 2. Information about the Mission of


Project Gutenberg™
Project Gutenberg™ is synonymous with the free distribution of
electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of
computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.
It exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and
donations from people in all walks of life.

Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the


assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg™’s
goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg™ collection will
remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project
Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a
secure and permanent future for Project Gutenberg™ and future
generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary
Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help,
see Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at
www.gutenberg.org.

Section 3. Information about the Project


Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non-profit
501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
Revenue Service. The Foundation’s EIN or federal tax identification
number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state’s laws.

The Foundation’s business office is located at 809 North 1500 West,


Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up
to date contact information can be found at the Foundation’s website
and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact

Section 4. Information about Donations to


the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
Foundation
Project Gutenberg™ depends upon and cannot survive without
widespread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can
be freely distributed in machine-readable form accessible by the
widest array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small
donations ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax
exempt status with the IRS.

The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating


charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and
keep up with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in
locations where we have not received written confirmation of
compliance. To SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of
compliance for any particular state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate.

While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where


we have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no
prohibition against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in
such states who approach us with offers to donate.

International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make


any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.

Please check the Project Gutenberg web pages for current donation
methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of
other ways including checks, online payments and credit card
donations. To donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate.

Section 5. General Information About Project


Gutenberg™ electronic works
Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project
Gutenberg™ concept of a library of electronic works that could be
freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and
distributed Project Gutenberg™ eBooks with only a loose network of
volunteer support.

Project Gutenberg™ eBooks are often created from several printed


editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in
the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not
necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper
edition.

Most people start at our website which has the main PG search
facility: www.gutenberg.org.

This website includes information about Project Gutenberg™,


including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how
to subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.

You might also like