by Vera Quinn
“I’m too mad right now to deal with her. Whinny and Sugar knew what she was going to do. These club girls are too much trouble. I am the damn President of the fucking club, and no one fucks with what’s mine. We have damn rules for a reason. They’re out. Did they see or know you brought Jade in?” I wait for Cue Ball to answer.
“Nah man, no one was up when we brought her here.” That’s good.
“Keep Jade in the shed. Make sure she has food and water every day and nothing else. I want her to think about this shit for a while. Spinner you are in charge of finding new girls after this is taken care of. You and Lingo.” I take my dishes to the sink and then I make my way out to the bar.
I see the girls over in the corner and go straight to their table. “How many of you knew what Jade was doing?” I am pissed, and my anger is getting the best of me. Whinny looks at Sugar, but Starla and Teal look surprised. Whinny knows she is caught, so she catches an attitude.
“Sugar and I are the only ones that knew. Rebel, Jade put her time in just like the rest of us. If someone is going to be an old lady, it should be one of us. That other girl hasn’t had to fuck anyone.” Club girls never get it.
“Has anyone ever told you that you had to fuck someone or that you can’t say no?” Whinny looks shocked. Why should she be shocked we aren’t rapists?
“That’s why we are here, but it would be nice to be appreciated.” Sugar puts in. “Jade was willing to share with both of you. You know one of those ménage things.” These girls will never get it, and I have no patience even to try to explain it.
“Whinny and Sugar you are both out. Banned. Your loyalty was not supposed to be to Jade. It was to the Demented Revengers MC and me, as the President. Jade is also banned. Get your shit and get out and I never want to see either one of you again. I’m also reaching out to all of our other clubs and any we are friendly with.”
I turn to walk away, but I have one more thing to say. “You bitches had it better here than you did anywhere. We took care of you. You had a roof over your heads, food in your belly, liquor anytime you wanted it; we paid for your medical and clothes, and you had all the cock you could handle, and we never raised a hand to you. All we asked for was your loyalty, and you fucked that up. So get out in the real world where everyone can look down their damn noses at you and treat you like the scum they rake off the bottom of their shoes. You’ll be working the streets this time next week.”
I leave them with that. “I’m going to my office. When Tip gets something, get it to me. I have calls to make. Cue Ball, make sure these bitches don’t steal us blind. Hawk, make sure a prospect changes the locks on my door and make sure I get every damn key.” I unlock my office, and I think about it. “Hawk, change every damn lock in this clubhouse. I don’t want to take any chances.” I push my door open and go inside to start making calls to find my woman.
Chapter 13
Brody
I’m watching the motel that has the little SUV bought in Colorado. The woman who bought it matches Gracie’s description. Gracie knows nothing about covering her tracks except not using her plastic and checks. She dumped her phone, too. Everything else has lead me straight to her door. If the Giles are looking for her, they will find her. I’m just hoping it takes them longer than it did me. I’ve been watching for the last two hours to make sure they are nowhere around. It’s dark, and I am going to make my move.
I make my way up the stairs and knock on the door. I can hear her inside the room. Shelby is crying. I try the doorknob, but it is locked. My only other option is knocking on the door. She actually looks out the window. It takes her a few minutes but she finally answers the door. She looks like she hasn’t slept in a few days. Shelby is crying on her hip. “Gracie, what’s wrong with Shelby?” Gracie looks about ready to cry.
“She’s cranky from riding in the car so much. She wants space to play, and she’s teething. One of her jaw teeth is coming in, and it is making her crankier. I bought teething gel, but she misses her bed.” Gracie is on the verge of breaking down. I take Shelby from her, and the baby lays her head on my shoulder. Gracie stands back, so I can enter.
“Pack all your stuff up. We are going to a safe house.” Gracie looks at me like I am crazy. “I have friends two towns over. It’ll take us about an hour to get there but no one will find us there, and you can get a good night’s sleep. We can talk tomorrow. I called them a couple of hours ago, and they are stocking the house with food. It has a garage so no one will see our vehicles. You need rest.”
“Okay.” She is trying not to cry. It takes her about fifteen minutes, and we are out of there. I buckle Shelby in, and she looks like she is ready to sleep.
“Follow right behind me. When we get there, I will get out and get the keys and garage door open. I’ll open the garage so you can pull in and I follow. The garage connects to the house so we can enter through it. Stay close behind me.”
She nods her head. I get in my truck, and she follows. I’ve been to the safe house a couple of times when I’ve been in this part of Utah, but it has been a while. The nights here are cold, so I want to get there.
A friend of mine owns the house. We network safe houses across the states. It’s easier that way for bounty hunters. Motels aren’t real safe in our profession or secure. Chad went over to make sure we had some supplies for a couple of days. That should be long enough for me to convince Gracie to come back home with me. Mr. Lemons still has not received any paperwork from the Giles family, so I think maybe that woman was trying to rattle Gracie. She did a damn good job at that.
Fifty minutes later I see the road to turn down to get to the house. I pull my truck up to the mailbox and get the keys out of it. I turn into the drive, but I wave Gracie around me. When we get closer, I push the garage door opener, and it opens. Gracie drives in, and I wait until her car is still before I pull in beside her and hit the button so the door will close.
The lights come on inside the garage, and I get out quickly, grabbing my bag. I go over and set my bag down and start getting Shelby out. “Just set whatever bags you’ll need for tonight out by mine, and I will come back and get them.”
Gracie nods her head yes, but she isn’t talking. I don’t like it. She’s too withdrawn. Shelby wakes up when I try to get her out. I get her out and carry her into the house and straight to the sofa. It only takes Gracie a few minutes to come in. I walk up to Gracie and hug her. She finally hugs me back. “I’ll get our bags and then start some dinner. If you want, I can build a fire. Up to you. The furnace has it warm in here, but I will build one if you want one.”
She doesn’t say anything. Not even a smile. I go out and get our bags and bring them back in the house. I take them back into the biggest bedroom. I am not leaving Gracie alone tonight. I walk into the kitchen and look in the refrigerator. I see some fresh ground beef, tomatoes, lettuce and cheese, eggs, bacon and some deli meats. There’s bottled water and some milk. I look on the cabinet, and I see boxes of cereal, bread, crackers and chips. I open the other cabinet, and I see some canned soups. I decide some sandwiches and soup it is. Quick and easy.
I make three grilled ham and cheese sandwiches and open two cans of tomato soup. I slice the sandwiches up and put the soup into bowls. Then I add some chips and crackers. I grab two bottles of water and go in the living room. I put the food on the coffee table and look at the girls. Gracie looks exhausted, and she has Shelby on her shoulder patting her on her back. “Does Shelby want milk to drink? The only other thing is water.”
“No milk. She’s been running a little fever cutting teeth, and it might make her sick to her stomach. She hasn’t had much of an appetite. I have some juice in her bag.” That’s the most Gracie has said.
“I’ll get it.” I go back to the bedroom and get the juice out of the bag and take it back to Gracie. “Eat up. There is plenty, and no one is sleeping until all this is gone.” Gracie reaches on the back of the sofa and gets a small blanket, and she lays it on the floor. She sets Sh
elby down there and gives her a quarter of a sandwich. Then she puts some crackers in one bowl of soup and starts to feed Shelby. Shelby seems hungry because she is eating it up. I get my bowl of soup and eat it. “Gracie you need to eat, too.”
“I will. I just want to make sure Shelby eats. This is the most she has eaten all day. I was worried about her.” Shelby smiles up at her mom and then she smiles at me. That is what I have been waiting for. I grab half a sandwich and eat it. Shelby gets up, and Gracie smiles for the first time since I first walked into the motel room. Shelby walks over to me and tries to give me a bite of her sandwich. I take a small bite and then she throws herself into my arms and hugs me. Damn have I missed this. I hug her back and kiss the top of her head. I see Gracie is trying to take a few bites. I finish my second half of sandwich, and then I catch Shelby’s as she throws it. “You want a fire? There’s wood right outside the back door.”
“It’s plenty warm in here. I just hope Shelby can get some rest tonight. The last few nights she has been restless, and she’s had a low-grade fever, so I haven’t gotten much sleep. I was worried about her and worried Lorraine would catch up to us. I can’t lose Shelby.” Gracie sounds desperate.
“You were crazy for taking off like that. We are stronger together. I will help you. My parents, Jilly, Kaden, Mr. Lemons and Audie will help you. You’ve done nothing wrong. Why would you run?” I knew the answer before I asked. “I’ve been keeping in contact with Mr. Lemons, and he hasn’t received any paperwork. He is checking with the clerk to make sure nothing has been filed. It hasn’t been.”
“It hasn’t? I thought for sure it would be filed by now. Then why would she leave me that letter and why would she be coming around now?” Gracie looks a little relieved but confused.
“I don’t know the lady, but I had some PI associates look into their private life, and it seems Donald is having some financial issues in his business and is on the verge of having to file bankruptcy. His sons have run his company into the ground, and it seems Donald also is having an affair. A very public affair with a woman that is very rich but is also married. So the Giles family may be a little busy right now as the IRS is very close to seizing their assets.” I don’t want to give her false hope, but I want to relieve some of the worries.
“Do you think it will stop her? I mean why would she even bother? She’s never had anything to do with Shelby. She came to see her occasionally but no bonding experiences. I was just scared, and Sunday morning I was freaked out, and I panicked. The only way I got away from Kendall was to run, and it is the first thing I thought to do. Mr. Lemons already said he found nothing filed and that if I wasn’t around, they couldn’t do anything because Kendall signed his rights away. I just thought leaving was the best thing to do.” She won’t look at me. She doesn’t want to tell me about Rebel. “Can I give Shelby a bath? It's close to her bedtime, and I am hoping since the fever is gone maybe she can sleep?”
“Sure thing. I’ll clean up in here and the kitchen. It’s right up the hall across from the room I put our stuff in.” I get up and start to clean up.
“I’m not worth your time Brody and I have really messed up.” I look at Gracie, and she looks so sad.
“Gracie, everyone screws up. It’s what we do to make it right that matters. We’ll talk after you get Shelby down. There’s a king size bed in that room, and I am sleeping in there with the two of you. I’ll be sleeping in sweats, and it is so you feel safe, and you will be able to sleep. That’s it.” Gracie has a sad smile on her face.
“I’ve heard a similar story to that before, but I trust you, Brody. You’re a good man, and I will feel better with you there. You always make me feel safe.” Gracie takes Shelby down the hall. I start cleaning up our little mess. Gracie didn’t eat much so I put the rest of the soup and sandwich in the microwave in case she wants it later. I clean up everything in the kitchen. Then I go out and bring some wood in and put it by the fireplace in case we need it later.
I look inside the fireplace, and it is clean and ready to go. I go outside and look around, and I see nothing. I go back in and make sure everything is locked up tight. I send off a text to dad and Kaden letting them know Gracie is with me and safe. I look up and see Gracie is standing there watching me. She has on a big t-shirt and sweats. It makes me think of Jilly back when we were younger.
“Shelby asleep?” I ask her.
“Yeah she is.” She walks over and sits on the sofa and looks at the floor. “Brody, something happened between Rebel and me. I can’t lie to you about it. You’re too good to Shelby and me. I don’t deserve your help. You had told me before you left you wanted something with me, but I went ahead and slept with Rebel. You warned me about his club life, and I ignored it. I can’t take it back, and I’m sorry if it hurt you. So if you don’t want to be around me then I understand.” Gracie is breaking my heart here. I know I should walk away but that is what I always do and I can’t this time.
“Gracie, I already knew that when I came after you. I can’t say that I like the idea but whether or not our relationship goes any further or not has nothing to do with my coming and taking you back home. It also has nothing to do with me being your friend. You were just honest with me, and that is a good base for friendship. As long as we are honest with each other, we’ll have a good friendship at least.” I give her a minute to take that in. “I still want you, but I am no idiot. We need to talk about what happened with you and Rebel and why you ran.” Gracie goes red in the face, and I know she is embarrassed but for us to move past this she has to talk.
“Do we have to? I’d rather just forget it.” Now I really want to know, but it is her choice.
“I’m not here to judge. I promise, and you’re not going to shock me.” I’m hoping that will put her at ease. She nods her head, yes, but when she starts speaking, I can barely hear her so I go and sit beside her and hold one of her shaking hands. They are as cold as ice.
“Everything that day was fun. I haven’t had a lot of fun in the last couple of years, so I was enjoying it. The fair was great, and I met Sylvie, and she is so sweet. Her three daughters helped with Shelby, and it was just a great day. I didn’t want it to end. When Audie got ready to go, she said she would keep Shelby overnight so I could stay longer with Rebel and I agreed. Rebel was a perfect gentleman, and we both slept in his bed. We went to sleep, but I guess I had a bad dream because I was worried about Shelby being away from me all night. She’s never stayed away from me for a night, and I had a nightmare. Rebel woke me from it, and I came on to him.” Gracie looks at me for understanding.
“It was my own fault Brody not the other way around, and I am ashamed to say that. I needed Rebel.” Hearing her say this is like turning a knife in my heart. “I thought we were making love. Sometime in the night Rebel got called away on some business but when I woke up that Jade woman was in bed with me and she said it is what Rebel wanted and expected. She was doing things to me while I was asleep.” Gracie looked at me, and her whole face was bright red.
I know Gracie is innocent when it comes to sex. She had to be humiliated. I know Rebel did not send Jade into that room. He wouldn’t. Not if he thought Gracie was his. Any other woman, probably, but he would have been right there with them. So what do I tell her? “I can’t be that kind of woman Brody. I don’t want to be that kind of woman. I wouldn’t do it if I only had myself to think about but I have Shelby to think about, too.
“So when I got back to Audie’s and Lorraine had left that letter the only thing I could think of is if she found out about the things that go on around Rebel then she would have grounds to take Shelby. Being the chicken I am, I just ran. It was easier than facing everything, and I don’t have the kind of money the Giles have, and I didn’t see a way of fighting it. I know I didn’t think it through, and there is no way Lorraine could know about what happened but running seemed the best solution. I soon found out exactly how hard it is to be on the run with a toddler who is used to playing all day. Then her te
eth started bothering her, and it was a mess. I had it easy when Jilly helped me. This is hard.” I see it has all taken a toll on Gracie. I try to absorb everything Gracie has said.
“So when you say Jade was doing things to you what do you mean exactly?” I have a good idea, but I need to be sure.
“Do I have to say it?” I look at her, and I know I am right, but I am not going to make her say it.
“Was she giving oral sex or something else?” Gracie nods her head. “Rebel would not have sent Jade into that room alone to you. She was trying to manipulate you, and she did a pretty good job. She sent you running. I warned you about those damn club girls.” I know I shouldn’t say I told you so but I did.
“What do you mean Rebel wouldn’t send her in there alone? Why would he send her at all?” Gracie was hurt by Rebel like every other woman who has ever cared about him.
“If Rebel had wanted Jade in there it would be so he could have both of you at the same time.” Gracie is shocked.
“What do you mean the same time? As in have sex at the same time with both of us? Why? I knew it! Kendall was right; I am not enough. I’ll never enough to keep a man.” Gracie is crying softly to herself, but it is tearing me apart.
“Gracie, they do that at the clubhouse. Sometimes it is two men and one woman. Some men like that kind of thing. I’m not going to lie, I have tried it, but it is what a man does when he is just fucking someone. Not when has the one he can’t even imagine sharing. Everyone finds that one sooner or later. I think Rebel and his club brothers just haven’t found that yet or maybe some have. I don’t know; I can’t answer for them.” I don’t know what to say to make it better for her.
“I let him have me unprotected. I didn’t even think about a condom. How dumb can I be? What if they never use condoms?” Rebel fucked her without protection.
“Are you on birth control?” I have fisted my hands at my sides. I am filled with rage stirring inside me.