Promise of Love

by Erin Trejo

  “It’s ok. Tell me, Jordyn. I want to fix it. All of it,” I reassure her. A sob escapes her before I tuck her head under my chin and hold her there.

  “When he got ahold of you, everything changed. He started letting them beat on me. He said that I had to be broken. He kept telling me that when it was all over with that I’d be his and only his.” Fuck! I don’t know how to listen to this without losing my shit.

  I hold her tighter before I say, “He won’t have you.” That is a fucking sure thing. I will rip his goddamn throat out if he even looks at her wrong.

  “He wouldn’t want me now anyway. I’m not a virgin anymore. That’s what he wanted. Dirk made sure to ruin that for him. He doesn’t know.” What did she just say? How the hell does she know that?

  I pull back and that’s when she backs away from me. I open my mouth to ask the obvious but she already knows.

  “Saturdays. That’s when I was supposed to meet him. He wanted information on what you guys run. Everything I could get. He wants Bomber and he will take you all down to get him.” I shake my head not believing her.

  The jogs?

  The lies?

  “You fed him the information?” I ask breathlessly. She couldn’t have. Please God, don’t let her say yes.Then she does it. She says that last thing that could crush me.

  “Yes.”

  Chapter 44

  Jordyn

  Link’s head dropped forward and words have stopped flowing. He’s mad. He should be. I lied to him. Over and over, I withheld the truth.

  “How much does he know?” he finally asks but he won’t look up at me.

  “Not much. I gave him that drop... the first one. That was it. I tried to keep him at bay. I told him that you guys were suspicious of me.” He keeps his head down. He doesn’t look at me. I know I probably disgust him now.We stand in silence before he finally moves.

  “They could have been killed.” He grinds his teeth together. His jaw tics.

  “I know. I’m sorry.”

  “You lied to me. To my face...” The anger that boils inside of him is roaring to the surface.

  “I know what I did. I’m so sorry, Link. I thought that I was protecting you from Bone.” He shakes his head, running his hand through his hair.

  “You were gonna be sold,” he says. His head comes up, his eyes locking with mine.

  “What?”

  “Your dad has been workin’ for the mayor. Illegally of course. Traffickin’ girls. You were on the list.” I shake my head. No way. He might have been an asshole but he wouldn’t have sold me. He wouldn’t have sold other girls.

  “Shake your head, darlin’. I have the proof. He was gonna sell you to the highest bidder. That’s why the mayor always wanted him protected.” As sick as it is... that’s why no one ever touched me before. It’s a harsh reality that settles inside of me.

  “What if he finds me? He will do it. He will.... He will fucking sell me.” Tears stream down my cheeks before Link steps up. His thumbs slowly wipe them away.

  “I told you that no one would touch you. I meant that. I’m gonna take care of your dad and that fuckin’ mayor. Bone, too.” No. He can’t go to war for me. I won’t let him. It isn’t safe.

  “No.” I take a step back. Link watches me.

  “Tell me you don’t want me,” he demands. I narrow my eyebrows before he says it again, “Tell me you don’t want me, Jordyn!” he snaps this time.

  “I don’t want you to get hurt.” He shakes his head, a smile crossing his gorgeous features.

  “That’s not what I asked you. Do you want me, Jordyn?” His hands reach around the back of my neck, holding me in place as his eyes pierce me.

  “Yes, I want you, Link. You make me feel special. You make me feel. No one has ever done that before.” He licks his lips before leaning down. His lips are barely touching mine.

  “Then let me have you. All of you. No more holdin’ back. No more lies.” I think I’d agree to anything with him this close to me. His breath is mingling with mine, the warmth spreading through me.

  “They all hate me here,” I say softly. His tongue glides over my lips before he smiles.

  “They don’t need to like you. I like you.” His smile could melt hearts. It’s melting mine.

  “I can’t be around them knowing they hate me.” I try to defend myself. Link’s touch is not allowing me to do that though. It was a weak attempt.

  “You aren’t goin’ anywhere, darlin’. The only place you’re goin’ is to my bed.”

  “Link.” His name barely leaves my lips before his mouth is covering mine.

  His hands roam down my back, grabbing and feeling me.

  “You are so goddamn perfect for me.”

  “I lied to you, Link. All of you.” His lips move down my neck, licking and sucking until I almost forget what we were talking about.

  “We’re startin’ over.” His tongue comes back to dip into my mouth. The ache between my thighs has nothing to do with the fear. It’s all about the way Link makes me feel.

  “Stating over,” I mumble, weak from his kiss.

  Chapter 45

  Link

  “Link has somethin’ to share. We all need to hear it,” Bomber says as we sit around the table having church.

  “She lied. You were all right. She was lyin’ from the day she walked in here with me.” They all groan and grumble. They don’t understand it all yet, though.

  “Her dad was after her. That much I’ve filled you in on. What you didn’t know was that he works with the mayor. Traffickin’. She was to be sold. She ran when he hurt her. Came up on Bone. He kept her. Wanted to use her for his own reasons but when he got me, he knew he could use her to his advantage. He put her in a position of death or snitch. She took the snitch.” Bash’s eyes flair with anger. I know he’s pissed.

  “The first drop after she got here—all her. After that she couldn’t get to him or get any information. She took off to protect me,” I finish. The guys look at each other before looking to Bomber.

  “He wants me. It’s always been me,” Bomber says. They all grunt.

  “I’m keepin’ her. I ain’t askin’ for help. I’m goin’ after all of them,” I announce. All eyes jerk back to me when Bomber laughs.

  “Yeah, fuckin’ right. We’re a family. That’s the only way we fight.” I shake my head before running my hand through my hair.

  “She could have gotten us all fuckin’ killed!” Bullet roars. I knew he’d be against it and that didn’t surprise me. I was ready to do this alone. I was ready to walk when I heard her say it. I knew what I wanted. I knew what I needed. I know she gets me now. I don’t think she’d lie anymore. We’ve come too far for that.

  “You think Trinity couldn’t have? Your ass was so fucked when she came up!” Dax snaps.

  “I don’t wanna divide this family! That’s not what I’m goin’ for. I know what she did. I know what could have happened, but it didn’t. I’m keepin’ her. If that means walkin’—so be it.” I slam my hands on the table before walking toward the door. I will. I will walk away from it all to keep that girl safe.

  “Sit the fuck down! You ain’t walkin’,” Bomber roars. A soft knock on the door pulls all of our attention.

  “See who it is,” Bomber says. I pull the door open to find Aubrie standing next to Jordyn.

  “Not now,” I grunt.

  “Now,” Aubrie says, pushing her way inside. The girls both walk in but no one bats an eye. Micah looks at Aubrie a little strangely but doesn’t say a word.

  “She has something to say,” Aubrie informs the room.

  “I didn’t mean for any of this to happen. I was forced to choose between my life and that hell. I didn’t ask for any of this. When Bone told me what I needed to do, I agreed. I only agreed because I thought you guys were like them. I see now that you’re not and I’m sorry. I never wanted any of you to get hurt. I surely didn’t want Link to get hurt or involved.” I watch her. Standing in front of all of them pou
ring her heart out. She’s gorgeous. She’s perfect, and she’s standing up for herself in a way that I hadn’t seen her do before. It makes my heart swell with pride. I’m lost when she turns to face me, though.

  “You don’t know me well enough to give up your family for me. I won’t let that happen. I like you, Link. You know I do but this—these guys are your home.” Bomber stands as Jordyn and I stand there in a silent argument.

  “No one needs to make any hasty decisions. In this club, we don’t always take apologizes. I understand your position. You didn’t have much of a choice. Holdin’ out on Link? That was fucked, but I get it. Now, we typically vote on this shit.” His eyes find mine before he turns toward the guys. My heart hammers in my chest.

  “I’m good. Nothin’ hurt here.” Dax grins.

  “Me too,” Kane adds. Aubrie elbows Micah in the ribs before he says, “I’m good.” He gives her a look but I don’t miss the smile.

  “I don’t fuckin’ like it. You hurt my boy. He’s family. You don’t fuck with family but I get why you did it. I don’t agree with how you went about it but I get it. If Link wants you around, I’m all for it.” Bullet surprises me when he says that. He isn’t one to back down when he’s mad. He isn’t one to let his feelings get involved in anything club related.

  “Doesn’t matter what I say. Majority rules.” Bash shoves out of his chair and heads for the door.

  “The fuck it don’t! You’re my family, Bash. What you think matters!” I snap.

  “You care about her, Link? I mean more than the sex shit?” Bash asks me. That’s not what I expected. I know that asshole has a heart somewhere deep inside of him. He doesn’t like to show it but we all see it with Shannon.

  “Yeah, I do.”

  “Then she stays.”

  Chapter 46

  Jordyn

  If that wasn’t the strangest conversation that I’ve ever had, I don’t know what is. I felt like shit. I still do.

  “Here.” Aubrie passes me the bottle of jack. I take it and pour a shot. I’ve apologized to all the girls. They all said they didn’t mind what happened. They all said it’s a part of this world. I didn’t agree, though. I still feel like shit about lying to all of them.

  “We’re ok, Jordyn. Don’t stress about it.” Laura smiles when she talks.

  “I just hate that it all started out this way. I hate that he’s in the middle of this now. All of you are.” Trinity laughs before she says, “Not the first time. We’ve all been the middle person in this mess.”

  I toss back a few more shots before the guys come out of the room. I watch Link walk and smile with the guys. He’s so at home. At peace with them. I don’t like being the reason that breaks. Micah walks over and wraps his arms around Aubrie before looking at me and saying, “You got that man in knots, sweetheart.” I smile shyly, feeling the blush creep over my cheeks.

  “He’s a good guy. He’s already saved me more than once,” I say in honesty. I didn’t realize he was behind me when I said it.

  “You too, darlin’.” His lips land on the back of my neck and that fire that always shoots through me is there.

  “We have a lot to talk about but we’re goin’ after them.” My heart thuds harder. This is what I didn’t want to happen. I knew it would. I tense under his touch. I can hear him sigh.

  “We were goin’ to anyway, Jordyn. It was just a matter of time,” he says. I turn my head and glance over my shoulder at him and say, “But I made it worse.” He shakes his head before spinning the stool around that I’m sitting on.

  “He took me. They fucked up right there. You were just icin’ on the cake, baby. My icin’.” He leans in and kisses me slowly. The girls all giggle. I wrap my arms around his waist and hold him tightly. I breathe in the smell of him.

  “I’m still sorry,” I whisper. I don’t know if he heard me but I am sorry. He didn’t deserve to have my shit on top of his own.

  Link presses his lips to my head.

  “Come on,” he says, pulling me off the stool. I follow along behind him as he leads me into his office. He closes the door, clicking the lock in place before he turns and smiles at me.

  “I need you to understand a few things. First—I want you here for now. I understand after this is over if you wanna get your own place. I’ll help you but until this is over, I wanna know you’re safe. Two—no more secrets, Jordyn. I can’t do it. Three—” He starts to speak but I stop him. I throw myself into his arms. Kissing him roughly, his hands snake around my back. Link pulls me closer to his hard body where I melt into him. Our kiss becomes heated but before we can get going too far someone knocks. Link doesn’t seem to care though, he doesn’t ease up but when they pound on the door, he lets out a growl.

  “Don’t think that’s over.” He pulls away and points at me.

  Chapter 47

  Link

  “What!” I throw the door open with a raging hard-on in my damn jeans. Dax stands there with that stupid grin on his face.

  “Bomber’s got a neutral location on Daddy and Mayor. You in?” he asks as if that was a question.

  “Do I wanna know how the fuck he got that already?” Dax shakes his head before I nod. I turn and head back into the room when I see the fear etched into Jordyn’s face.

  I ask, “You’re worried?” She nods her head slowly before I walk toward her. I grip her chin and lift her face to mine, “It was always comin’. Now it’s sooner rather than later. Bone will be next.” She’s hesitant to respond. She chews her lip.

  “You wanna see him.” It’s not a question. I can see the look in her eyes. She needs that reassurance. She needs to see that it’s over.

  “Fuck! I can’t take you. It’s dangerous.” She shakes her head before she says, “I’ll stay out of the way.” Shit! I knew this was coming. I could feel it. She needs it though, and who the fuck am I to deny her that closure?

  “Put this on.” I toss her one of my black hoodies before I pull my own on. Jordyn smirks before tugging it over her head. It’s a damn shame that she has that beautiful body covered the way she does.

  “You stay in the van. This is on me, Jordyn. When I have him, I’ll get someone to come get you.” She nods not even needing to hear me say more. She has to know what’s about to happen.

  “Come on,” I tell her nodding toward the door. Jordyn follows me in silence until we see Bomber.

  “What the fuck?” he asks looking at her.

  “Stayin’ in the van. This is her dad, brother.” Bomber seems to think about that one before he nods. I grab her hand and walk her to the door before she wraps her arms around me.

  “What’s that for?” I ask. I keep us walking even as she holds on tightly.

  “For everything. For being you. For understanding me.” She shrugs. I know what she means. I want to thank her for being her, too. I want to thank her for bringing a light into my life. She’s brought me a piece of happiness that I see in the other guys all the time. The kind that I never thought that I’d have.

  “Let’s get this done and you can thank me properly,” I tease her. Jordyn laughs, her green eyes burning into me.

  “That I can do.” I open the van door and usher her inside. I can’t take my eyes off her. I don’t want to. I climb in and she looks surprised.

  “I’m the tech guy remember?” She laughs.

  “So, you don’t always go out, right?” I shake my head before starting the van up.

  “Not usually. I’m on the cameras and shit. Don’t get it fucked up, baby. I can kill with the best of them.” That earns me a grin. I’ll take it.

  Chapter 48

  Jordyn

  I’ve bitten my nails down to nothing. It’s been thirty minutes. Thirty minutes of sitting in this van and waiting. I can barely stand it. I climb out of the van and stand next to it, I start pacing.

  “Come on,” Bullet’s voice snaps. I jump and turn to face him. He’s covered in blood and looks to be highly pissed off.

  “Where’s Link?” I ask
. He shakes his head before coming closer to me. “I don’t like you much. You lied to him—hurt him.” I deserve that. I deserve more.

  “I said I was sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt him, Bullet.” He shrugs before he says, “But you did.”

  He turns on his heel and walks away. I follow behind him and inside an old warehouse. The air in the room is stale and the floor is dingy. My heart leaps in my chest when I hear his voice.

  “You thought you could sell her, huh?” Link roars before he comes into view. His eyes are wild. It’s not like he’s even himself.

  “Fuck you! I never wanted kids,” I gasp. Bullet’s eyes soften when he looks at me now. Pity. I don’t want it.

  “I knew that,” I say. Everyone’s head snaps in my direction. My dad’s eyes widen before he grins.

  “Thought Bone still had you.” The gasps that go up around the room set me on edge. What did he just say to me?

  “You knew?” I ask stepping closer. He laughs that nasty evil laugh that he’s always had.

  “Of course, I knew. Who the fuck did you think was buying you?” No, he’s lying. Bone was buying me from them?

  “You’re lyin’!” Link snaps. My dad pulls his gaze away from me and back to him.

  “Who do you think set up the whole thing when she needed a place to go? Bone wanted Bomber. He wanted Jordyn, too. He just used her to his advantage.” My dad shrugs like it’s not a big deal. I’m a person! His daughter! I should matter to him.

  “You bastard,” I say but choke on a sob. How could he?

  “She never wanted you. Neither did I. You were always a weapon I could use. That’s why I kept you around.” I glance over at the now dead Mayor, where he lies on the floor in a pool of his own blood. My stomach rolls at the sight.