by Bella Jewel
“How’d your night go?” Serenity asks, taking my coffee and sipping it.
“You know, the usual...” I grin at her.
“You’re a whore, Muff!”
“Only to the best ladies.”
She slaps my arm. “Jackson is too tired to get it up this morning, so I’ve been harassing everyone else.”
“For sex?”
She rolls her eyes. “No, you tool, for company.”
I chuckle, and tug a lock of her hair. “Well, maybe they’re all wanting to have sex and you’re ruining it for them.”
She pouts. “Do you want me to leave, Muff?”
“Never, princess.”
I hear the door close, and look over to see Jaybird isn’t in the kitchen anymore. Where did she go? It’s freezing outside. Something doesn’t feel quite right, so I buck my knees and drop Serenity off my lap before getting to my feet.
“We’ll be over for breakfast soon,” I say, walking toward the kitchen. “Make sure you get everyone up. Go and jump on Spike. He’s a morning person.”
Serenity laughs. “On it.”
She disappears out the front door, and I peer out the back door to see Jaybird disappearing into the trees wearing only a light jacket and jeans. Is she mad? I pull on a thick coat, and I head out after her. What’s going on?
~*~*~*~
Janine
I can’t help the ping of jealousy that rises in my chest as I walk through the trees.
I’m a jealous woman. No one said it was right.
I felt odd in there, when Serenity was on his lap. They were happy, laughing and teasing each other. They were so comfortable together. Almost too comfortable. Suddenly I felt odd. I could just ask Muff if there’s something still there, but do I really want to know the answer? If he has something for Serenity, or even the idea of a relationship with Serenity and Jackson, then I have a problem, and I’m not sure I can deal with that problem right now.
God, I’m being such an idiot.
Aren’t I?
I find a bench in the trees and sit down, tucking my legs up. Muff and me, we’re barely even a couple. He jumped fresh out of bed with Serenity and Jackson, right into a boring old vanilla relationship with me. Maybe he wants more, and he’s too scared to say so. Maybe that’s why he held back. I know the sex with me is good, sure, it’s explosive, but is it enough?
“What the fuck, Jaybird?”
I turn and see Muff walking toward me, hood over his head. I’m shivering—my teeth are chattering together. I didn’t realize how cold I was until I stopped thinking. Muff reaches me, and his eyes fill with worry.
“What the fucking hell are you doin’ our here, dressed like that? Shit, Janine.”
He called me Janine. He’s mad.
“I was just...”
“You were just what?” he barks. “Trying to kill yourself?”
“I’m s...s...s...sorry.”
“Come here,” he says, his voice gruff. He leans down and scoops me into his arms.
He turns and heads back up the path, his strides quick.
“You’re fucking freezing,” he growls. “Silly girl.”
“M...M...M...Muff?”
“Baby, don’t even ask. I’ll only tell you you’re wrong.”
“You d...d...d...don’t even know w...w...w...what I was g...g...g...going to ask.”
“You’re going to ask if I care about Serenity.”
Shit.
“And I’ll tell you, I don’t. I told you that last night. I know why you ran. You were hurtin’ seeing her on my lap, you were wondering if I maybe have feelings for her, or maybe I want to continue in a ménage relationship...”
“I...”
“I don’t. Do you hear me? I care about Serenity. Spending the night with her and Jackson, it was hot, but that’s all it was. It was just a fun moment. It was just a night of passion. I don’t want her. I don’t wish I was the one who got her, nor do I wish to be in a relationship with them. I want you, Jaybird. More than I’ve ever wanted someone in my life. I was insensitive of that inside before, I shouldn’t have let her behave that way, harmless or not.”
My heart melts.
“I’m s...s...s...s...sorry.”
“Don’t be,” he murmurs. “I know how it must have looked, and I’m sorry. I forget that you know what happened between us, and I forget that her behaving like that might look bad. But it’s just friendship, I swear it to you. I wouldn’t lie...not to you, angel.”
He gets back to our cabin and walks right to the room, flicking on the fire. Dropping to the bed, he strips me out of my clothes, and then quickly discards his own. Then he pulls back the covers and tucks me under them. My teeth are still clattering together, and when his warm body presses against mine he hisses, but he doesn’t let go. He wraps me in his arms, and he holds me.
He just holds me.
And I know he’s letting me know...that this is far more than we both expected it would be.
I think I’m in love with Muff.
~*~*~*~
Janine
“Oh God that was good,” I groan, rubbing my belly after finishing plate two of bacon and eggs.
“Damn, I can cook.” Spike grins.
“Knew you had to be good at something,” Ciara says, jabbing his side.
“So, what’s on the agenda today?” Serenity asks, tucking herself onto Jackson’s lap.
“I don’t know,” Cade mutters. “Addison is still in the fuckin’ bathroom. When she gets out, we’ll figure it out.”
“Maybe we can go hiking?” Jackson suggests, and we all give him a horrified expression.
“Or not,” he mutters.
Muff comes into the room, coffee in hand. He winks at me, and I flush. We seem closer after our moment earlier, and I’m enjoying it. He does things to me. Things I’ve never experienced before.
“There’s a real pretty view from a mountain we can drive to,” he suggests.
“That’s a good idea,” I say.
“Yeah, sure is,” Cade says.
Addison appears in the room then, and I notice right away her face is pale and that she doesn’t have her usual bounce.
Without turning, Cade says, “Addi, we’re going to the mountain. You cool with that?”
She doesn’t answer. I get to my feet. “Addi, honey, are you okay?”
Everyone is watching her now, and Ciara is on her feet beside me. Cade turns, and his eyes fall on Addison. His face becomes concerned.
“Sugar?” he says gently.
“I’m...” Addison rasps, letting a tear tumble down her cheek. “I’m bleeding. It’s bad.”
My heart falls. Cade leaps out of his chair and rushes over to her, wrapping his arms around her and crushing her to him. “Sugar, shhh.”
“What do we do?” Jackson says, standing.
“Get her to the hospital,” Ciara says in a weak voice.
Addison is crying heavily when she pulls back from Cade.
“I don’t want to lose our baby, Cade.”
My heart breaks when I see the expression on Cade’s face—and then, even more when I look at Addison’s.
“We’re going to be just fine baby, just fine.”
He wraps a jacket around her shoulders and leans down, taking his keys from the bench by the door. Jackson is by her side now too, stroking her hair.
“I’m takin’ her to the hospital,” Cade mutters.
We all stand.
We’re all going, and we all know it.
It’s just the way it is.
All for one, and one for all.
~*~*~*~
Muff
Jaybird is staring out the window, knees tucked to her chest. She’s worried about Addison; we all are. Her and Cade are so excited about that baby. If they lose it, after everything they’ve been through, it might just break them. They deserve that baby, and everything it will bring for them. I reach over, gripping Jaybird’s hand and squeezing it. She looks over at me; her eyes are wo
rried and glassy.
“I lost a baby once,” she whispers.
“What?” I rasp, shaking my head.
“Before Eb’s. I was only young. I hadn’t been with...him...for long. The condom broke, and I got pregnant. He was angry. He was sure back then that I was cheating on him, and he didn’t believe it was his. He got angry one night, and he pushed me down the stairs. I lost my baby.”
If he wasn’t dead, I’d go and fucking gut him. Slowly. With a blunt knife.
“Shit, Jaybird, I’m sorry,” I say, trying not to growl.
She shrugs. “It happens, but it’s an awful feeling. Addison and Cade, they don’t deserve that kind of pain.”
“Neither did you.”
She turns to me. “No.”
“They’re going to be okay; we’ve got their backs. We’ve always got their backs. We will get them through, no matter what.”
“They’re lucky to have you guys. All of you,” she says, staring back out the window.
“You have us now too, Jaybird.”
I think she knows that.
I just don’t know if she believes it.
Chapter 6
A Christmas Miracle!
Janine
“How’s she holding up?” Ciara asks, when Cade comes out of the hospital. We’re all sitting outside, trying to keep out of everyone’s way. It’s cool out, but no way near as cold down here. I’m thankful for the warm clothes, though.
“They’re not sure yet,” he whispers, lighting up a cigarette. “She’s bleeding bad.”
“We’re here, buddy,” Spike says, clapping his shoulder. “We’re not goin’ anywhere.”
“I know,” Cade says, nodding. “Thanks.”
“Does she need anything? Can we go and get her something?” I say, standing and placing a hand on Cade’s shoulder.
I don’t really know these guys that well, but I do know that they’re all very close and they would die for each other. They’re family, and they will go to the ends of the earth to make sure the man by their side is happy. Cade smiles down at me, though it’s weak and drained. “Maybe some clothes? I only have the winter stuff, and it’s quite warm in there. She needs something from home.”
“Muff and I will go get some stuff,” I say, nodding.
“Thanks, J.”
Muff stands, patting Cade on the back. “Call if you need anything else, otherwise we’ll be back soon.”
We head back to Muff’s truck and get in, making our way back to Jackson’s house, where most of Addi’s clothes are. I’ve been staying with Jackson, but I know soon I’ll have to find a place of my own. He’s been kind enough to keep Eb’s and I there.
We pull into the drive and get out, walking up the path. We stop halfway up when Muff shoves a hand across my chest, halting me. I open my mouth to ask what he’s stopping for, but I see the note stuck to the door. It’s obviously placed, and it’s messy. There are big black letters on it, so someone has made an effort to make it and put it there.
Muff walks closer, and his eyes scan the entire yard. It could just be a note from a deliveryman? Right? He reaches forward and clutches the note, staring down at it. His back goes rigid, and his hands begin to shake. He spins around, glaring into the darkness, as if waiting for someone to just pop out. He stares for a long moment, and my chest begins to seize—then he spins on me. “You got a problem, Janine?”
What?
I shake my head, confused.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about?”
“I said, do you have a fucking problem you’re not sharing with me?”
I shake my head, still stumped. “Muff, what are you talking about?”
He thrusts the note at me, and I catch it in my hands. I peer down at it, and I shiver. Oh. No.
You’re husband owes us. He’s dead. Now you owe us. Three days, Janine. Watch your back.
I tremble, and crush the note in my fist. I knew there were debts to clear up, and I’d been trying to get on top of them, but I didn’t realize it was so bad. Okay, that’s a lie, I knew the people after the money would come looking eventually. I didn’t want to involve Muff; I just wanted a nice Christmas with my new family before having to deal with what lays ahead.
“Now, I’ll ask you again, is there something you want to tell me?” Muff barks.
I drop my head, and my eyes well with tears. “He had a lot of debts. I’ve been trying to deal with them...”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Muff says, softer this time. He lifts my chin, forcing me to look at him.
“I just wanted to have a nice Christmas. After, I was going to sort it out.”
“You haven’t got that kind of money, Jaybird.”
“I would have found a way,” I whisper.
“You’re in danger. Do you understand that?”
“Ebony!” I suddenly screech.
Muff grips my shoulders. “Let’s ring your mom, make sure they’re okay. Most people like that won’t touch a child. It’s you they’ll come after.”
I reach into my purse, fumbling with my phone and pulling it out. I ring my mom. She answers on the second ring.
“Janine, honey, she’s fine.”
My body slumps. “I...I...I was just checking up on her, I miss her.”
“She’s sleeping. She had a great day.”
“I’m glad,” I whisper.
“Is everything okay, sweetheart?”
“Yeah, sure. I just wanted to check in. Addison has come down to the hospital, she’s bleeding.”
“Oh no, that’s awful. Is it the baby?”
“We think so.”
“Give her my best.”
“Okay Mom, I’ll go now, just wanted to check in.”
“We’re all okay here.”
“I love you.”
“You too, honey.”
I hang up the phone, and lift my eyes to Muff.
“What do I do?”
“Leave it with me, I’ll get the guys on it. Do you know who is chasing the money?”
“I have a fair idea,” I say, wrapping my arms around myself and rubbing my arms.
“We’ll get the details. Let’s get Addison’s stuff, and get out of here. It’s not safe right now.”
I nod, and we both go inside the house. Muff goes first, finding Jackson’s gun, and checking the house before letting me collect Addison’s things.
The entire ride to the hospital is quiet. I know he’s angry and a little hurt that I didn’t tell him, but I honestly didn’t think there was a reason to. I’d thought I was sorting it out. I guess I wasn’t.
As soon as we arrive at the hospital we see all the guys and girls outside still, sitting, waiting, supporting their friends inside. We get out of the car, and Muff walks over to Jackson, leaning in close and whispering something into his ear. Jackson looks over to me and then down to the note Muff hands him. Soon, Spike is joining in, and they’re all talking. Jackson pulls out a phone and walks off into the darkness.
“What’s happening?” Ciara asks, walking over to me and wrapping an arm around my shoulder. “Are you okay, J?”
“There...there was a note on the door when we got home.”
“A note?”
“Is everything okay?” Serenity asks, joining us.
“J said there was a note on the door when they got home.”
Serenity’s eyes widen. “A note?”
“It was from someone who is chasing money from me. There are debts outstanding, and I’m meant to be paying them.”
Serenity’s eyes widen. “Why didn’t you tell me, J? I would have helped.”
“I thought I had it covered,” I whisper, feeling my eyes burn.
“What did the note say?” Ciara asks, squeezing my shoulders.
“It basically threatened me, and said I had three days.”
“We’ll sort it,” Serenity says, rubbing my shoulders. “It’s going to be okay.”
“I hate him,” I whisper. “I hate him for leaving me i
n this position.”
“It is kind of my fault you’re in this position.” Serenity sighs.
I shake my head at her. “No, honey, it’s not. We both deserved freedom. I just had an asshole of a husband that left his problems behind.”
Serenity nods, but I know she feels bad. Hogan was her dad, and somehow she finds a way to blame herself for everything that went down.
“It’s okay,” I assure her. “Muff won’t let me get hurt.”
We all turn and watch the guys talking amongst themselves.
I hope I’m right.
Chapter 7
Deck the halls!
Muff
“Fuck it, I want to know who the bastard is that’s threatening my woman,” I bark down the phone.
“We’re on it, Muff,” Jett, one of Spike’s boys, growls.
“Well, hurry it up. Link anything you can, find out why the fuck this bastard is after money. Dig up all the dirt you can on that dead son-of-a-bitch and tell me what you find out.”
“Got it.”
I hang up the phone and sigh, running my fingers through my hair. Jackson puts a hand on my shoulder. “Bein’ angry ain’t gonna fix this one, buddy. We’ll find that fucker, and we’ll make sure he doesn’t touch J.”
“She’s in danger, boss. I know it, and I can’t fuckin’ stop it.”
“You can keep an eye on her, make sure she’s got someone with her at all times. We’ll find this bastard. He’s bound to show his face sooner or later.”
“And if he shows it when we’re not around?” I say, crossing my arms.
Jackson shakes his head. “Won’t be happening.”
I sigh. Fuck. When did our Christmas break turn into fuckin’ work? It always goes south, no matter what we try to do. Sometimes, I wonder why I’m part of a club. I doubt my involvement, more often then not.
“Don’t go lookin’ like that,” Jackson growls. “Don’t start doubtin’ this.”
“Hard not to, boss. We can’t even have a night away without bullshit.”
“It’s life.”
“No,” I say, turning and walking off. “It’s not.”
I let my eyes scan the car lot for Janine. She’s standing with the girls, and they’ve got their arms wrapped around her, holding her close. I walk over, stopping in front of them. Ciara looks up, giving me a pleading look. I guess I look angry. Can they blame me? She didn’t tell me. Months together, and she didn’t fuckin’ tell me that she had a problem. Of course I’m mad; she could have been hurt, or worse...