by Simone Elise
“The one and only.”
“Why are you calling me?” I didn’t beat around the bush; I went straight to the point. I held a hand up to stop Jax from reaching for my phone. Why would he want to talk to Blake anyway?
“I need you to come see me.”
“Why?”
“You have a lot of questions,” Blake stated, his voice hard, and with an edge to it. I couldn’t put my finger on the problem, but there was something up; I just wasn’t sure what it was.
“You have a weird request,” I bit back. Why would he want to see me? We weren’t together and I wasn’t in his gang. I was sure he would know I was thick with the bikies now, and close to my brothers.
“Not really,” he snapped. “You were an important part of my life for a long time, and I helped you when you needed it.”
Oh! He wanted something.
“Do you need something?” I asked.
“You could say that,” he said. “Come visit me, and we won’t have as many ears listening.”
His conversations must be being recorded. Sighing, I was torn at this point. Should I go? But then Blake was there when I needed him; I owed him.
“Ok, I’ll come this week.”
“Looking forward to it…” Blake hung up abruptly.
“What did he want?” Jax was glaring at my phone. His face was tense and he was crunching my textbook.
“Just wants me to go see him. Want to loosen that grip on my textbook there?” I reached out to take it off him.
“Did you tell him to fuck himself?”
“JAX!”
Jax was deadly serious, and I was seriously getting angry. “What the hell is your problem?”
“You’re not going to see him,” Jax announced, turning to stomp off, as if that was the final decision. Normally, I wouldn’t care what he thought, but he was my boyfriend now, and I had to work this out with him before I went and did whatever I wanted anyway.
“I am, because I said I would. Now, would you stop getting so angry over this? Last time I checked you couldn’t have sex in a visiting room, so you have nothing to worry about.”
Jax shot a dirty look over his shoulder at me and I had to give myself points for trying to throw a joke in the mix but it was pointless, it didn’t lighten things up.
“You aren’t going,”
I picked up on the authority in his voice, and it planted seeds of anger within me. “I’m not a part of your club Jax, you can’t tell me what to do.” I narrowed my eyes at him; looked like a fight wasn’t going to be avoidable after all.
“For once Amber, just listen to me,” Jax insisted, stopping me in the hallway with crossed arms. “You aren’t going. Now drop it.”
I clenched my closed fists. You can take the bikie off the bike, but you can’t take the stubbornness out of him. Looks like I was going to have to take the gloves off. I could just drop it, but I told Blake I would go, and the bottom line was, I did owe him.
“I’m going to go see him tomorrow. Now just get over it,” I snapped at him. Seriously, was he really insane enough to think I would go back to Blake? He didn’t have to be jealous.
“You’re NOT!” Jax roared at me, and I quickly looked up and down the hallway, embarrassed. Lucky for me, no one was around; had the bell rung already?
“You know what Jax?” I stepped in closer to him, meeting his fierce eyes, “I don’t like being told what to do.”
Jax’s lips formed in a tight line. He knew he had dug his own grave; I wasn’t backing down.
“Fine, piss off to him them,” he said as he looked down at me angrily. “But you can tell him the answer is no.”
Answer to what? I arched an eyebrow at him. “He didn’t ask anything of you…”
“He will.” Jax stated, and looked at me with anger. “And you can tell him no.”
“Whatever.” I didn’t want to argue over something that wasn’t important. If Jax wanted to think the world revolved around him, fine.
“Make sure you carry,” he said, before storming off. Well, what other words of advice could he give me.
“You know Jax, you really need to learn that I’m your girlfriend, not a member,” I snapped behind him, and stopped him in his tracks.
“You need to learn you aren’t bulletproof Amber. You are mixed up with shit that just makes my life harder,” he informed me.
“What, you want to bail already?” I sounded confident, but, inside, I was angry at him for even thinking of walking away from me so soon. For Heaven’s sake, I had just received a phone call from Blake! He was blowing this out of proportion.
“You know what Jax?” I stomped up to him. “If me getting a phone call from an ex is too much ‘shit’ for you, then you aren’t worth my time.”
I shouldered past him, and stormed towards the corridor doors. Looked like today was going to be cut short for me; I knew he wouldn’t follow me because he had to stay for his parole board.
Right now I was grateful for that, because I needed some space from him. Everything was going good for a few moments, and then it all turned to shit.
Seeing as I’d just got a free afternoon, Blake might as well see me sooner than he’d expected to.
You know there is always one thing you can count on, and that is that men suck. I kicked my car tire in frustration, and when I got in, I uncontrollably smacked my steering wheel.
I thought as much that Blake had a favor to ask of me. I looked up and glared at the prison, but it wasn’t what I’d thought. What made it worse was that Jax had expected it but of course he did, he was the cause of all this to begin with.
Not only had he managed to yell at me for Blake calling me, and wanting to see me, but he was also the reason Blake had called me in the first place!
I leaned my head against the headrest. My hands ached from hitting the steering wheel.
My mind going over what just happened.
Blake had already told me once he had thought it was my fault he was in jail, and I couldn’t stop the disgust in my stomach from boiling over when he’d said this. He’d also confessed to having me put on a hit list. I gave the steering wheel another whack.
That explained all the attacks! It also kind of explained why Jax had over-reacted today.
But it was his damn fault I was here. Jax had put a hit on Blake in jail. I know a normal girl would be shocked and scared when hearing this, but for me, it was just another thing in my twisted life.
Blake had taken the hit down weeks ago, when his trial had started and he’d found out who had really put him in jail; it wasn’t me but Jax being the man he is, wouldn’t take the hit down.
When I saw Blake today, he was a mess and told me he was confined to his cell for protection.
So my ex-boyfriend, who’d wanted me dead, was now being hunted down by Jax’s club brothers, who all answer to Jax and would jump at any command he gives. Blake was sure he wasn’t going to last long.
I knew Jax’s heart was in the right place, but I still had a soft spot for Blake. Even though he wanted me dead, I didn’t want him dead but after I’d make Jax pull his club brothers off Blake, I wanted nothing else to do with Blake.
I started my car up. Now I had to come up with some really good reasons for Jax to let Blake live.
I had a feeling no reason I’d give would be good enough. I would have to convince him in other ways.
Looked like I would be losing my clothes tonight.
Chapter 42
“Trying to kill my ex-boyfriend is a bit low, even for you.” I crossed my arms, standing in our lounge. Troy was sitting across from me, a beer glued to his right hand and a smoke in the other. I gave Troy a hard look. “You know we aren’t allowed to smoke inside,” I said.
“How was your jail visit?” Troy arched an eyebrow, and didn’t make a move to put his smoke out. “Catch up?”
I knew he was trying to distract me. I shot another look at Jax, but he wouldn’t look up. He could glare outside all he wanted, but he could
only ignore me for so long.
“Jax? Did you hear me?” I snapped at him.
“Blake tell you all about the hit list?” Troy questioned me, while Jax remained mute.
“Yes, he did.” I glared at Troy. “Don’t you have somewhere to be?” I could try and get rid of him, but I had a feeling he was going to stay anyway just to piss me off.
“Nah, I’m fine here.” Troy smugly pushed himself back into the couch. “Don’t let me stop you,” he added.
Grinding my teeth together, I came to terms with the fact that I was going to have to beg in front of my brother. This night was just getting better and better.
“Jax, can you come with me please?” I huffed.
Jax looked up, a coldness in his eyes. He slowly slipped his beer while studying me. Finally, he placed his empty bottle on the ground, and turned slightly on the couch to face me.
“What do you want Amber?”
“Can you please take that hit off Blake?” It felt like I was throwing up knives when I asked him. I hated asking anyone for anything because it then meant I’d owe them.
“No.” Jax’s narrowed his eyes. “I told you that before you left.”
“No you didn’t! You didn’t tell me you were trying to have him killed!”
“Oh stop it Amber!” he roared at me, the vein in his neck bulging slightly. “He wanted you dead! What was I supposed to do!”
“Nothing! It wasn’t your problem.”
“When it concerns you, it concerns me!” he roared, getting up from the couch. “What did you expect me to do? Sit back and watch him get you killed?”
“You should have told me!” I roared.
“Ok, I’m leaving,” Troy said as he got up.
“What? You want to leave now?” I snorted, shouldering him slightly when he walked past.
“Drop the hit,” I said as I brought my eyes back on Jax “Now.” My voice was firm, and I couldn’t believe that I was able to stand my ground in front of Jax when he looked so angry.
His knuckles were turning to a shade of white, he was clenching his fists so hard. “Why should I?” he spat “And why do you even care if he lives or dies?”
“Because I owe him,” I said as I crossed my arms defensively. I knew what angle Jax was coming from, and it pissed me off.
“More like you care for him.” He scoffed, and the jealousy was clear in his eyes. “I’m not a fucking fool!”
“Can you hear yourself! Really Jax, how much have you had to drink?” I narrowed my eyes at him, making sure I didn’t back down. If this relationship was to have the slightest chance, I had to be as strong as him or I was going to be walked all over.
“Get out of my sight Amber.”
I gulped at the seriousness in his tone, and the look he was giving me was scaring me. This wasn’t working. Hating myself for what I was about to do, I decided to give another angle a shot anyway.
I softened my face. “Please Jax, just do this for me,” I said tenderly; softly. It was a quick change from my deadly, forceful tone before.
Jax automatically frowned at me. He seemed taken aback and that was what I’d wanted.
“You really want me to?” He looked me straight in the eye.
I nodded my head quickly. I didn’t like owing anyone anything. Blake was in my past and I was sick of him influencing my present.
“I just don’t want to owe Blake anymore,” I told Jax. “That’s all.”
“He wanted you dead,” Jax said, not hiding his disgust. He was really angry about this, and for some sick reason, it actually made my heart flutter; his protective instincts. I really was twisted.
“But it is over now.” I went to stand right in front of him, and looked up at him. “Thank you for having my back.”
I did have to thank him, because he had been looking after me while madmen were out to get me.
“That must taste bitter,” he said, as the corner of his lips twitched slightly up. I rolled my eyes at him, but he was right. I hated saying sorry. It just didn’t taste nice coming out.
“Are you hungry?” Jax changed the subject, while reaching out and looping an arm around my back, bringing me closer into his chest.
How had I found someone so perfect for me? We could go from fighting to loving each other so quickly.
“Yeah, it was a long drive in,” I admitted. I hadn’t had lunch, and my body was craving food.
Jax’s eyes twinkled with slight amusement, “You are one hungry beast.”
“So… take out?”
The house doorbell rang through the house. Who could that be? It was rather late.
“You expecting someone?” I asked Jax.
“No. You?”
“Nope.” I let go of him and walked out to the foyer. Whoever it was, they’d better piss off quickly because I was hungry, and seeing how I’d just sucked up to Jax, I deserved food.
I opened the door, and I couldn’t believe what I was looking at. Of all the people to be here right now!
“Jax,” I turned to the side. Jax was still standing in the lounge, although now he had a confused look on his face. “It’s for you.”
Chapter 43
Jax
“Mai?” I looked her up and down. She was a mess, her hair was everywhere and her cheeks were stained with tears.
“Jax, I had nowhere else to go.” Mai said as she swallowed back tears, and I saw her glance at Amber, who was hiding slightly behind her front door.
I could feel the anger from Amber. The quicker I got rid of Mai the better, or Amber was going to explode.
“What do you need?” I looked back at Mai; she was shaking on the porch.
“I just…” Mai’s eyes were blurry as she spilled another wave of tears. “Can I come in?” she asked, with a desperate tone in her voice.
I couldn’t turn her away. I stepped out of the door frame and let her inside. Amber was standing behind me now, and her slim fingers were poking me hard in the back.
I gritted my teeth and bared it for a few moments before I reached behind me and grabbed her hand.
“Do you remember Amber?” I pulled her out from behind me, and introduced her to Mai.
Mai looked at Amber and nodded her head. “You came with them on their last ride.”
“Yep.” Amber crossed her arms. Looks like she was going to go easy with Mai.
“Mai, so what’s wrong?” I took over the conversation before Amber started taking shots at her. I didn’t need any extra drama.
“Can we talk?” Mai glanced at Amber, then back at me. “Alone?”
And things were about to get messy. I didn’t even have a chance to say anything; Amber cut in.
“It’s my house,” she said as she stepped in front of me. “If you have something to say to my boyfriend, you can say it to me too. We don’t keep secrets.”
Fuck, women were difficult.
“Boyfriend?” Mai looked confused. “Jax are you actually dating this girl?”
“This girl?” Amber’s voice was threatning, and I immediately reached out and gripped her upper arm, pulling her back to me slightly.
Amber had a really bad temper, nearly as bad as mine but it was hot seeing how protective she was over her claim on me. I kept the smile to myself though, knowing Amber would only turn around and rip my head off if she saw it.
“Yeah Mai, I am,” I said, keeping my grip on Amber. “Now can we all just calm the fuck down. Mai, what are you doing here?”
Mai looked at me thoughtfully. “Why are you dating her?”
For Christ sake, why did it matter who I was dating! See, this is why I didn’t date; everything got harder. Jealous women were deadly.
“What are you doing here, Mai?”
She ran a hand through her messy hair, and my current relationship status seemed to drop from her mind.
“It’s dad… he had a heart attack…” Mai broke out in tears, and launched herself into my arms. I had to let go of Amber’s arm, so I could hold Mai up. She had coll
apsed in my arms, a sobbing mess.
“I’ll leave you two alone.” Amber gave me a dark look before storming up the staircase. I watched her, and I knew she would be jealous or hurt right now because I was holding Mai.
Great. Every time Amber and I are just getting on, shit happens.
Chapter 44
Amber
Damn human hearing. If only I had the ears of a wolf! I would’ve been able to hear what the heck was going on! I pushed my ear harder up against Jax’s room.
“What are you doing?” Cole’s voice boomed, and I quickly spun around, waving my arms for him to shut the hell up!
But like the thick head he was, he just arched an eyebrow at me. I watched his face as something clicked, and then he seemed to understand what I was doing.
“Amber, back away from the door,” he said as he crossed his arms. “Now.” I was grateful he actually hissed it at me, and hoped Jax hadn’t heard too much.
Rolling my eyes, I slowly walked up the corridor to Cole, stopping in front of him. “Thanks for blowing my cover.” I narrowed my eyes at him. “Really smooth.”
“Didn’t take you as the jealous type,” Cole said. He was enjoying this, I could tell.
“Jealous?” I hissed at him, “You and I both know Mai isn’t here just for comfort.” I hated her for stepping into my house, and yeah it was sad her dad was sick, but come on, running to my boyfriend for help? The bitch had my rage coming at her.
“No, we don’t,” Cole said in a firm voice, and he slung his hand under my arm and began to drag me away from the scene. When we were further away from Jax’s room, Cole stopped. “Mai and Jax have a special relationship, and you need to accept that.”
“What do you mean special?”
“Amber,” Cole ran a hand over his bald head. “Just leave it alright.”
“Leave what? Leave that bitch to my boyfriend?” I scoffed and crossed my arms tightly. I didn’t like sharing, and hell I would take her out if I had to.
Cole’s face twisted with anger, and he shook his head, furious at me. “He has a past Amber, and if you are so in love with him, then you have to accept it. He isn’t the faithful type. You wanted him, flaws and all. Well, this is what you get when you date a bikie. Now grow up and stop being needy.” Cole stormed off and left me stunned.