by Simone Elise
“What sort of list?”
“A hit list. Blake got her on it,” Cole snarled and glared at the table. “After he went to jail, she has been placed as the informer.”
Amber was on a hit list? I gritted my teeth; I was pissed off that they had kept this to themselves. “Has anyone approached her?”
“No, not yet,” Troy added. “Which is why we want to keep her close.”
Now another job had been added to my plate, although this job I would complete with pleasure. Someone was threatening my girlfriend, my only weakness. These poor bastards had no idea who they were messing with. They were dead men walking.
“She comes,” I grunted. “My vote is in favor.”
The guys looked at me, each expecting to have had to do more to get my vote but they had it now, and I knew they wouldn’t question it any further.
“We will deal with the hit list when we get back.” I got up, my expression blank. “Next time, don’t keep things from me.”
“The hit list doesn’t affect the club,” Tyler said slowly.
“Amber is your sister. It splits my Charter leaders’ attention; it affects the club.” My voice was firm and harsh. I couldn’t have them running around behind my back, leading their own war. “We will leave tonight like planned.”
Troy brought the hammer down, and the meeting was closed. It would be impossible to keep mine and Amber’s relationship a secret for much longer, especially once we get back and I hunt those bastards down for thinking they can hunt my girlfriend.
“I’ll pick Amber up,” I said. “It will stop the conversation.” I opened the club door and Troy nodded his head at me with a thankful smile.
Bringing your sister on a run wasn’t going to look good in the other riders’ eyes, but if she was on the back of my bike, not one biker would doubt why she was here. If they did, I would shoot their head off; as, unlike the Shield boys, I could actually kill a member and I would, for only two reasons; betrayal and Amber.
***
“Amber?” I knocked on her door, and pushed it open slowly. “Amber?” Where the heck was she? I heard the running tap and walked across her room quickly.
“Amber?” I said louder. It was late; after ten.
I pushed her ensuite door open, and running water was filling the spa, but she wasn’t in it. Alarmed, I took the scene in quickly. I felt myself being pulled to the ground as I took her in, sitting on the floor, her knees to her arms and her head in her hands.
“What the fuck is wrong?” I panicked, and her head snapped up as I placed my hand on her knee. Her eyes were wide, and her cheeks stained with tears.
“What are you doing here?” She choked. Her skin was freezing and I began to wonder how long she had been on the cold floor.
“For you,” I said, reaching behind her and turned the tap off. “What’s wrong?”
“I… nothing.” She inhaled quickly and bit her lower lip.
“Don’t lie to me,” I kneeled back in front of her, placing a hand on each side of her. “Now I’m going to ask you again. What’s wrong?”
“It’s pathetic,” she whimpered. “Don’t worry about it… you should go.”
“Tell me.”
She shook her head stubbornly, and her hair whipped across her face.
“Go,” she muttered, and wouldn’t look me back in the eye. Each tear that fell down her cheek angered me more. I didn’t like watching her cry, and it pissed me off that I didn’t know how to stop it.
“Fine, get up.”
I wrapped my arms around her waist and supporting all her weight, I pulled her to her feet. She didn’t fight me, and I scooped her up easily. I knew Amber hated being seen as weak and I knew right now she would hate herself.
I carried her out and softly placed her on the edge of her bed.
“Where are your bags?” I grunted, before pulling her wardrobe doors open. I groaned as I took in all her stuff.. How the hell was I going to be able to pack her shit, when she had so much stuff to pick from?
“What are you doing Jax?” she wiped the tears from her cheeks.
“You’re coming with us.” I pulled something from a hanger, and when it turned out not be a jumper, I flung it to the floor. Her walk-in wardrobe was massive, and it was full. Suddenly, I was facing a new nightmare.
“On the run?” Her voice was dry.
“Yes,” I snapped. “If I can get your shit into a bag.”
I snapped around when I heard her giggling, frowning at her. She held her stomach. Her cheeks were red, and her eyes were bloodshot but she was laughing.
“I’ve spent the last two hours depressed. You didn’t think of calling me and telling me this?” She shook her head. “God, Jax!”
“How the hell was I meant to know you would be crying?” I crossed my arms. “I didn’t think you would care that much.”
She automatically looked offended and then I watched her face turn to disgust. “Fine. I’m not going.”
I sighed; I’d set myself up for that one. “That wasn’t what I meant.”
“It sounded like you weren’t going to miss me, so fuck you, I’m not going to miss you.” She crossed her arms, like the headstrong woman she was.
I walked across the room and stood in front of her. Why did I have to fall for this strong-willed woman?
“Babe, I didn’t mean it like that.” I placed a finger under her chin and pulled her head up. “Next time I will call. Now please, help me pack your crap. The guys are waiting.”
Amber’s eyes were fierce, even under the red stains. She wouldn’t let me see her emotion, and she wasn’t letting me off the hook that quickly. Pushing my hand away from her face, she got up and pushed past me.
I couldn’t help but smirk as I sat on the edge of the bed, watching her begin to pack. She was one hell of a woman, and she was my woman; I had fallen hard.
Chapter 29
Amber
I stood, arms crossed, casually at the back of the car park, like I had been told. I gritted my teeth watching a black haired woman cling to Jax’s side like a leech. Perhaps I would be happier if she had been ugly, or looked like a normal whore who would cling to a biker, but she wasn’t. She was beautiful and, when I say beautiful, I mean drop dead stunning, and it only made me want to wring her neck so much more.
“Amber bed, now.”
I looked at Cole with a dry expression. For some unknown reason, all my empty headed brothers had made it their mission to boss the life out of me while on this trip. Ever since we pulled out of the club gates last night, and considering I had already put up with it for 24 hours, I was ready to bring my claws out.
“No,” I snapped back, and stubbornly pushed back to the wall. Like hell I was going to sleep in a dirty old club room; not while my so-called boyfriend was out here with a woman who looked like she had just stepped out of a magazine.
“Amber,” he growled, and stepped in closer; blocking my view of Jax. “We allowed you to come on our conditions, remember?”
I don’t know how Jax had got them to agree to me coming, but I wasn’t going to ask questions. He told me this trip was important to him, and, after much consideration, we decided it best in both our interests to keep our relationship on the down-low while on the trip but lines were drawn, well one line; if he slept with another woman, or women, we were done.
“Fine,” I grunted and shouldered him as I stormed past. I narrowed my eyes at Jax as I strode across the biker club car park, which was packed with members; bonfires sent shadowed light across it.
Pushing their clubhouse door open, I noticed it was surprisingly a lot dirtier than ours; who knew that was even possible.
“Amber?”
“I’m already going to bed,” I snapped over my shoulder to Tyler. “Want to tuck me in?”
“Bitchy much?” Tyler scoffed. “And no, just wanted to check on ya, alright.”
“Why wouldn’t I be?” I spun around and I noticed the surprise in Tyler’s eyes as he locked eyes wit
h my murderous ones. I just had to keep a lid on it, because it wouldn’t be fair for him to cop the full lash of my anger. “Everyone loves bedtime.”
“Third door down the hall, and don’t take it off the hinges when you slam it,” Tyler said dryly, backing away quickly; most likely the smartest thing he had ever done.
“Who knew the Shield’s had a baby sister?” A deep, amused voice spoke after Tyler shut the door. My eyes darted to the lounge chair, taking in the gruff, older man.
“Who knew couches talked?” I snapped back, before taking in his patches on his vest. Looked like the club President of this chapter didn’t have the partying fire.
“Snappy aren’t we?”
He butted the cigarette out and nodded his head towards the armchair next to him. “Take a seat.”
“Prefer not to, got to get to bed.” Lame cop-out excuse, but, seeing the mood I was in, I knew I could do damage if I chatted with the President. “Night.”
“The Amber I knew didn’t listen to anyone, let alone her brothers. Perhaps it is your new boyfriend that has these sudden reins on you.”
My mouth opened and then shut. For once, I had no comeback.
“Take a seat Amber,” he said, his lips curling in amusement.
“Who… Do I know you?”
“It’s been a few years, but surely I haven’t changed that much?”
I took in his gruff face again… his solid body… his appearance didn’t ring a bell, but, as I took in his tired eyes, it hit me.
“Been a while Grant, although last time I saw you, you weren’t wearing club colors,” I said. I arched an eyebrow at him, “You also weren’t exactly in a fit state. Off the beer, are we now?”
Grant’s chest rumbled with laughter and he shook his head at me as I sat down in the chair to him.
“Tell me, how is my nephew?”
The small smile disappeared from my face as I answered, “Prison.”
Grant’s broad smile went firm into a tight line. “Good leaders often end up locked up for short periods of time.” Grant moved forward in his chair, slightly turning his eyes to me. “So, why are you playing with your brothers when the gang needs a leader? Blake only ever really trusted you.”
“We broke up a while ago,” I muttered. “Things just didn’t work out.”
“My nephew never realized how important you were. I always knew he would lose you.” Grant leaned back in his chair. “Though I already guessed that you had broken up, seeing as you have a new man.”
“What are you talking about?” I crossed my arms. “I don’t have a new man.”
“Went from dangerous, to deadly;” he arched both eyebrows as he spoke, “And I thought you were smart.”
“Don’t know what you are talking about old man. Since when were you a member of the Deadly Dozen anyway? And, from your vest, it looks like you are President.”
“Blake’s father and I were prospects together. He left after a few years to form the gangs that Blake proudly runs now, and I… well… I stayed.”
“Talk about family tension,” I muttered, liking the fact that the subject was now off me. “So that’s why you didn’t wear your patch at the BBQ when I met you.”
Grant nodded his head causally. “Once a year I take it off, for the family.”
“Well I’m guessing your family BBQ is off this year.”
“Considering Blake won’t be attending, I have no need to go.” Grant moved forward and leaned across the chair to me. “Now tell me, why you are dating a walking time bomb.”
“Excuse me?”
“Jax is deadly man, Amber. He isn’t someone you want to get close to.”
“Good thing we aren’t close then,” I snapped at him, while narrowing my eyes. “We aren’t dating.”
“Seeing that he has had his grips wrapped around my daughter for most of the night, I tend to believe you to some degree.”
“The beautiful woman he is with is your daughter?” I asked, shocked.
“Yes, and every time Jax rolls in, she is his pick.”
“And you let him?” Surely Grant wasn’t that much of a pushover.
“Mai goes to him, and I don’t want to pick a fight I can’t win.” Grant lit another cigarette and the chair crackled as he moved in it.
“Jax isn’t that tough,” I grunted, as the memory of him picking me up from the bathroom floor flashed across my mind.
Grant’s deep rumble of laughter brought me out of my flashback, and his wicked smile had my full attention.
“I suppose he isn’t to women he sleeps with.”
“I’m not a bed warmer.”
“No, you’ve already been kicked out by the looks of it, by Mai.”
“My brothers wouldn’t exactly be thrilled to hear we are together. We don’t have a choice.”
“Your brothers are weak when it comes to Jax, just like I am.” Grant looked at me with a knowing, warm, fatherly smile. “So why are you staying in the shadows?”
Grant knew the headstrong Amber; the one that would put a gun to someone’s temple and not even blink. He’d heard of the girl that could help Blake take a hit out, and eat and laugh, all in the same night. That girl was unstoppable, but now I realized I was only unstoppable because I’d had Blake. Without him, I was robbed of the little strength I had left and now, well now, I was a shell. One that cries when left at home, and whose boyfriend runs around doing whatever he wants. All because I was scared of my brothers?
“I don’t know,” I muttered, rising from the chair. “Jax isn’t Blake.”
Those words settled it. I knew Jax was strong, but maybe his new found love for me wasn’t. Blake would’ve stood up and declared me his, and anyone who got in the way would be shot.
“Not all relationships are crystal clear. Night old man,” I said.
“Don’t let him make you feel weak Amber.”
I stopped in my tracks as I was retreating to the bedroom that I was meant to have been in all this time.
I sighed softly before I began to walk away again. Maybe he was right.
But I still knew I was going to learn the hard way, because I always did.
***
Pulling my arms through the long singlet that stopped mid-thigh, it was clinging to my body from the heat already. I pulled my hair up loosely; I was sick of the heat alright.
The bedroom had turned into an oven and I had the pleasure of staying in here all night. Opening the bedroom door, I allowed the cool air to swish around me, and it felt like taking a dip in a cool pool. Anything would feel cooler compared to the oven I had been baking in.
“Last night’s leftovers have woken,” a guy chuckled to me darkly from a bar stool as I walked into the main living area. His eyes raked up and down my body as he belittled me.
“Don’t speak to her like that,” Grant roared from across the room. The room went silent and only now did I realize it was full. Jax and my brothers were also in there. Suddenly, there was an uneasy tension in the room, as everyone’s eyes darted between me and Grant, all most likely thinking I was his last night.
“How did you sleep Amber?” Grant broke the silence in the room.
My eyes were locked with Jax’s for a moment and then his narrowed with suspicion as Grant spoke directly to me. “Fine, old man,” I said. Breaking my eyes from Jax’s, I strolled across the room to sit next to Grant. “You?” I asked
Conversation had returned to the room, and I had a feeling that I wouldn’t be receiving any more comments from a Deadly Dozen member again. I was thankful Grant had done that; it had saved my brothers from having to come to the rescue.
“Not well enough. Considering you left me in the dark,” he said. His lips curled slightly; he was stirring shit on purpose, making a play on words to make me look guilty.
“Whatever,” I muttered and glared at the floor. Swallow me ground, swallow me I prayed. I hated attention on me!
“Let’s get to business,” Jax’s voice ordered, and I heard his chair legs d
rag along the ground. “We have a run to lead this morning, as you are aware…” Jax was speaking directly to Grant, making sure his attention was off me. “Clear the room,” he said.
“All people currently in this room are people I trust, so Jax, no need to take this private,” Grant said. I felt Grant’s eyes dart in my direction, as he continued, “Unless there is someone in here you don’t trust, then we can.”
I glanced up at Jax and was surprised to meet his angry eyes directed at me. Did he not want me to be here? He looked as if he was having a debate with himself on whether to order me out or not.
“The guns. Where are they?” Jax snapped and crossed his arms, clearly coming to the decision he couldn’t ask me to leave.
“At the boatyard. The delivery was smooth. Did you take care of that problem at your end?”
“There wasn’t a problem.” Jax’s voice was firm as he glared at Grant, clearly indicating that Grant just mentioned a subject he shouldn’t have.
“The buyer has changed,” Grant spoke as if he wasn’t receiving a silent death threat from Jax. “The TNS will be buying them. Pick up is still the same place.”
“We don’t know them!” Jax roared “Why didn’t you mention this before? We don’t have a dealer with them, how can we make a deal with someone we don’t trust!” Jax’s voice was booming across the room. I couldn’t believe he could look so threatening.
I wasn’t sure how Grant was facing him off right now, because even I was slightly scared of Jax’s rage at the moment. Slowly, I was beginning to see a different side to the man I cared for.
“They are paying double and mistrust was their main concern also, until they realized there was someone who they trusted dearly within your organization.”
If I’d thought I was in trouble before, well now I was sure my death was sealed. My brothers were going to kill me. I silently hoped that Grant would leave me out of this, but I had a feeling I was about to get dragged into this fire.
“Who?” Jax asked. “We don’t have any contacts with them, which is why we haven’t dealt with them before.”
I was glaring into the side of Grant’s face as he turned around to face me. His eyes were twirling with humor and cunningness; I was about to be burnt badly.