Beaten, Broken, Brotherhood

Shane "Tank" Rutherford, a homeless teen, is brutally attacked in an alley, only to be rescued by a group of white supremacists led by Trace. Hungry, battered, and desperate for connection, Tank is drawn into their world, seduced by the promise of brotherhood and purpose. The group's ideology is clear—hate and exclusion—but for Tank, the allure of belonging outweighs the darkness. He's patched into their ranks, his pain and anger redirected into violence, and his new family becomes his anchor in a world that's always been cruel.

Baptized in Hate

Tank's initiation into the Klan is swift and brutal. He's mentored by Trace and befriends Tanner, the "White Prince," both of whom shape his worldview. The Klan's rituals, violence, and camaraderie fill the void left by Tank's abusive father and lost childhood. He excels as a fighter and mechanic, his loyalty to the brotherhood cemented through shared blood and secrets. Yet, beneath the surface, Tank's intelligence and capacity for empathy flicker, hinting at a future reckoning with the hate he's been taught to wield.

Prison Walls, Shifting Loyalties

After a violent crime, Tank is sent to prison, where the Klan's reach is both a shield and a shackle. He's expected to participate in a racially motivated killing but hesitates, forming a bond with Carlos, a Mexican cellmate. This friendship, and Carlos's eventual murder, plant seeds of doubt in Tank's mind. The Klan's code demands absolute loyalty, but Tank's conscience begins to rebel. His refusal to kill for the brotherhood marks him as a traitor, and he survives a shanking, emerging from prison scarred in body and soul.

The Traitor's Choice

Upon release, Tank faces the ultimate test: will he return to the Klan or walk away? Tanner, his best friend and Klan heir, confronts him, torn between love and ideology. Tank's refusal to participate in Carlos's murder brands him a traitor, but Tanner spares his life, fabricating a story to protect him. Tank's disillusionment is complete—he sees the Klan's hate for what it is and chooses freedom, knowing it means exile and a target on his back. He rides away, alone, for the first time truly unbound.

Beauty Queen on the Run

Susan-Lee, crowned Miss Central Texas, escapes her abusive mother and the suffocating world of beauty pageants. Her flight is desperate and impulsive, driven by years of pain and a longing for self-determination. In a back alley, she collides with Tank, whose intimidating presence is less frightening than the life she's leaving behind. With nothing but a crown and a bruised heart, Susan-Lee seizes her chance at freedom, climbing onto the back of Tank's motorcycle and vanishing into the unknown.

Collision of Escapes

Tank and Susan-Lee, both running from their pasts, form a wary alliance. Their initial interactions are charged with suspicion, humor, and raw attraction. At a roadside motel, they share stories and scars, discovering a shared hunger for acceptance and a life untainted by violence or control. Their chemistry is undeniable, and vulnerability gives way to passion. For the first time, both glimpse the possibility of love not rooted in pain or power, but in mutual respect and understanding.

Motel Confessions

In the privacy of the motel room, Tank and Susan-Lee bare their wounds—physical and emotional. Tank reveals his Klan past and prison scars; Susan-Lee exposes the bruises from her mother's fists and the emptiness of her pageant life. Their confessions are met not with judgment, but with empathy and desire. They make love, not as an escape, but as a reclamation of agency and hope. The night marks a turning point: together, they might outrun the darkness.

Barroom Brawls and Bonds

A bar fight erupts when Susan-Lee is harassed, and Tank's ferocity in her defense draws the attention of local toughs. The violence is a reminder of Tank's past, but also a testament to his devotion. Susan-Lee tends his wounds, and their bond solidifies. They decide to travel together, embracing the uncertainty of life on the road. Each mile puts more distance between them and their old lives, and their partnership becomes a lifeline in a world that offers little mercy.

Lovers on the Lam

Tank and Susan-Lee carve out a new existence, drifting from town to town, taking odd jobs, and savoring stolen moments of joy. Their love is fierce and healing, a salve for old traumas. Yet, the specter of Tank's past looms—his tattoos, his reputation, and the Klan's reach are never far behind. Susan-Lee finds work and friendship, while Tank's skills as a mechanic open doors. Together, they dream of a future unmarked by fear, but know that peace is fragile.

Brotherhoods Collide

At a rest stop, Tank helps a stranded biker, Reaper, president of the Hades Hangmen MC. Recognizing Tank's skill and sensing his desperation, Reaper offers him a job—on the condition that he proves his loyalty. The Hangmen are outlaws, but their code is rooted in brotherhood, not hate. Tank and Susan-Lee are drawn into this new world, where acceptance is earned through action, not blood. The Hangmen's suspicion of Tank's Klan past is palpable, but his honesty and talent begin to win them over.

Hangmen's Test

Tank is tasked with repairing a prized motorcycle under Bull's watchful eye. The work is grueling, and the scrutiny intense. Susan-Lee, meanwhile, must navigate the complex social hierarchy of the Hangmen's women, proving her mettle and loyalty. Both face tests of character and courage, but their resilience and authenticity shine through. Tank's past is a shadow, but his present actions speak louder. The Hangmen, wary but impressed, begin to accept him as one of their own.

Old Wounds, New Family

As Tank and Susan-Lee settle into life with the Hangmen, they forge deep bonds with club members and their families. Tank's longing for brotherhood is fulfilled, not through hate, but through shared purpose and respect. Susan-Lee finds work and friendship, her confidence blossoming. Yet, the threat of the Klan lingers—some Hangmen distrust Tank, fearing he might be a spy or a liability. The couple's love is tested by suspicion, but their commitment to each other and the club never wavers.

Blood on the Concrete

The Klan, unwilling to let Tank go, tracks him to the Hangmen compound. Trace and two others launch a brutal attack, intent on killing Tank and sending a message. Tank is shot and stabbed, fighting for his life as Susan-Lee watches in horror. The Hangmen arrive in time to save him, but the violence leaves scars—physical and emotional. Tank's willingness to kill his former brothers to protect his new family cements his loyalty in the eyes of the Hangmen.

The Klan Strikes Back

As Tank recovers, the Hangmen capture Trace, offering Tank the chance for retribution. The confrontation is raw and cathartic—Tank executes Trace, severing the last tie to his old life. The act is both justice and damnation, a necessary violence that frees Tank but stains his soul. The Hangmen, witnessing his resolve, finally accept him as a true brother. Susan-Lee stands by him, her love unwavering despite the blood on his hands.

Surviving Betrayal

Tank and Susan-Lee rebuild their lives, supported by the Hangmen's community. Tank's Nazi tattoos are covered with new ink, symbolizing his transformation. Yet, the past is never fully buried—Tanner, Tank's former best friend, reappears, torn between loyalty and ideology. Their reunion is tense, filled with regret and unresolved love. Both know that one day, their brotherhoods may clash, but for now, they part as friends, each walking their chosen path.

The Final Reckoning

Tank is officially patched in as a Hangmen prospect, his acceptance celebrated with ritual and revelry. The club's embrace is both a reward and a responsibility—Tank must prove himself daily, earning trust and respect. Susan-Lee, too, is welcomed, her strength and loyalty recognized by the women of the club. Together, they find a sense of home and purpose, their love a beacon in a world still rife with danger.

Patch and Promise

Tank and Susan-Lee's relationship deepens, their bond tested but unbreakable. They build a life together, balancing the demands of the club with their own dreams. The threat of the Klan remains, but the Hangmen's protection offers a measure of safety. Tank's journey from hate to hope is mirrored in his love for Susan-Lee—a love that redeems and sustains him. Their story is one of survival, transformation, and the enduring power of chosen family.

Love, Loyalty, and Freedom

Tank and Susan-Lee ride together, free at last from the chains of their pasts. Their home is filled with laughter, passion, and the camaraderie of the Hangmen. Though the world remains dangerous, they face it together, fortified by love and loyalty. Tank's scars are reminders of where he's been, but his future is defined by the family he's chosen. In each other, they find the beauty and belonging they once thought lost forever.

Characters

Shane "Tank" Rutherford

Tank is a physically imposing, emotionally scarred man whose life has been shaped by violence, abuse, and the desperate need for family. Orphaned by circumstance and hardened by the streets, he is drawn into the Klan by the promise of brotherhood, only to find that hate cannot fill the void inside him. His journey is one of painful self-discovery—he must confront the darkness within, reject the ideology that once gave him purpose, and risk everything for a chance at redemption. Tank's love for Susan-Lee is transformative, awakening his capacity for tenderness and hope. His evolution from Klan enforcer to Hangmen brother is marked by sacrifice, loyalty, and the courage to choose a better path, even when it means standing alone.

Susan-Lee Stewart ("Beauty")

Susan-Lee is a former beauty queen whose outward perfection masks years of abuse and emotional neglect. Trapped by her mother's ambitions and cruelty, she flees in search of autonomy and love. Her encounter with Tank is both a rescue and a rebirth—she finds in him a partner who sees her strength and vulnerability. Susan-Lee's journey is one of self-empowerment; she sheds the trappings of her old life, embraces her desires, and builds a new identity within the Hangmen community. Her loyalty, wit, and resilience make her a formidable old lady, and her love for Tank is both fierce and healing.

Tanner Ayers ("White Prince")

Tanner is Tank's best friend and the heir to the Klan's leadership. Intelligent, ruthless, and deeply indoctrinated, he embodies the seductive power of hate and the tragedy of lost potential. Tanner's relationship with Tank is complex—rooted in genuine love but poisoned by the demands of the brotherhood. When Tank defects, Tanner is forced to choose between loyalty to his friend and loyalty to the cause. Their bond is ultimately unbreakable, but their paths diverge, leaving both men haunted by what might have been.

Trace

Trace is Tank's original mentor in the Klan, a man whose charisma and violence draw lost souls into the fold. He is both savior and destroyer, offering Tank a home while demanding absolute loyalty. When Tank leaves, Trace's love curdles into hatred, and he becomes the instrument of the Klan's vengeance. His death at Tank's hands is both justice and tragedy—a final severing of the past.

Reaper Nash

Reaper is the president of the Hades Hangmen, a man feared for his violence but respected for his loyalty. He is suspicious of Tank's past but recognizes his potential. Reaper's leadership is uncompromising—he demands loyalty, action, and respect. His acceptance of Tank is hard-won, and his protection is absolute. Reaper represents the possibility of brotherhood without hate, a new model for Tank to emulate.

Bull

Bull is the Hangmen's Samoan mechanic, a man whose size and strength are matched by his integrity. Initially wary of Tank's Klan past, Bull tests him relentlessly, demanding proof of change. Over time, Bull becomes a mentor and friend, helping Tank shed his old identity and embrace a new one. Their friendship is a testament to the power of forgiveness and the possibility of transformation.

Ky Willis

Ky is the Hangmen's vice president's son, a flirtatious and irreverent presence in the club. He welcomes Susan-Lee with humor and respect, helping her navigate the complexities of club life. Ky's easy confidence and loyalty make him a valuable ally, and his acceptance of Tank signals the broader club's willingness to move beyond prejudice.

Letti

Letti is Bull's old lady, a strong, tattooed woman who guards the Hangmen's women with a watchful eye. She is initially skeptical of Susan-Lee but comes to respect her resilience and authenticity. Letti's friendship is hard-won but invaluable, providing Susan-Lee with a sense of belonging and support.

Marie

Marie is the aging but indomitable wife of Bone, an elder Hangman. She offers Susan-Lee a job and guidance, helping her find purpose and confidence. Marie's wisdom and warmth anchor the club's community, and her acceptance of Tank and Susan-Lee is a blessing.

Styx Nash

Styx is Reaper's mute son, a talented tattoo artist and a symbol of the Hangmen's complex legacy. He communicates through sign language and art, offering Tank a way to erase his past and embrace a new identity. Styx's presence is a reminder that healing is possible, even for those most deeply wounded.

Plot Devices

Dual Redemption Arcs Intertwined by Violence and Love

The novel employs dual protagonists—Tank and Susan-Lee—each fleeing abusive, controlling environments. Their stories intersect at a moment of crisis, and their relationship becomes the crucible in which both are transformed. The narrative structure alternates perspectives, allowing readers to experience both the brutality of Tank's past and the suffocating perfection of Susan-Lee's. The use of foreshadowing (Tank's doubts, the Klan's pursuit) and recurring motifs (scars, tattoos, motorcycles) reinforce the themes of identity, loyalty, and the possibility of change. The story's tension is driven by the ever-present threat of violence—both from the Klan and within the outlaw world of the Hangmen. Ultimately, the plot hinges on the characters' willingness to risk everything for love and belonging, culminating in a final confrontation that tests their courage and commitment.

Analysis

"Beauty Found" is a raw, unflinching exploration of trauma, indoctrination, and the struggle for self-determination. Through Tank's journey from Klan enforcer to Hangmen brother, the novel interrogates the seductive power of hate and the difficulty of breaking free from toxic systems. Susan-Lee's parallel escape from abuse and objectification highlights the universality of the search for agency and love. The story does not shy away from the ugliness of its characters' pasts, but insists that redemption is possible through vulnerability, courage, and the willingness to forge new bonds. The Hangmen, for all their violence, offer a model of brotherhood rooted in loyalty rather than exclusion. The novel's message is clear: family is not defined by blood or ideology, but by the choices we make and the people we choose to stand beside. In a world scarred by division, "Beauty Found" offers a hard-won hope—that even the most broken among us can find beauty, belonging, and freedom.

Last updated: September 29, 2025