“I don’t meet any of them.”
“So nothing strange then?”
“No, nothing that stands out.”
I close my eyes and remember the note I found all those years ago at Trav’s house. Could this be the same person and if so, am I in danger? Worse, is he?
CHAPTER ELEVEN
I finish up before Trav and head over to Chief’s house. It is his birthday and I wanted to spend the night with him and the club. Trav is going to meet me after work. I wait for a cab on the sidewalk, it is getting dark and the sun is just disappearing behind the hills. I am glancing down at my phone, when a car pulls up. Assuming it is a cab, I look up only to face a very angry looking man.
“Hello Mischief.”
I glance into his evil eyes; he is over six foot tall and heavily built. I would say more fat then muscle but he isn’t small. He steps forward and his black boot crunches on the gravel. Do I know this man? Why is his voice so familiar? He steps closer again, and I move backwards.
“Who are you?”
“You don’t remember me?”
Demon, that voice. How could I have forgotten that voice? My heart skitters and I try to take another step back but he grips my arm. His fingers pinch into my skin and I yelp. He grins, and the sight of it twists my stomach.
“Please, go away.”
“I only wanna talk.”
“How did you find me here?”
“My darling Jasmine said you would be here.”
Jasmine? What the fuck.
I step back again, but he yanks me towards the car. I scream as loudly as I can, but most people don’t involve themselves in others problems in this city. I kick and scream, biting down on his arm as he shoves me in and slams the door. He wraps a hand around my throat and presses a gun to my temple. I stop kicking.
“Please,” I choke. “I didn’t do anything.”
“I said I only wanted to talk, tell me Mischief, how is Daddy?”
“Let me go.”
“Enjoying my step daughter is he?”
“I don’t know!” I hiss.
“You know,” He says, sitting back casually while still holding a gun to my temple. “I thought when you left it was the best thing that could have happened to him, cut his damned heart out it did. I beat the shit out of him, nearly killed him. Bet he didn’t tell you that? Without you though, he didn’t care and the game got, well, a little boring. Then Jasmine, bless her heart, told me you were back in town and I thought well, won’t that be fun?”
“I don’t see him, let me go.”
“Don’t lie to me girl, see, I can handle a lot of things, I hate fucking liars.”
“Just let me go.” I cry.
“Tell him hello, won’t you?” He grins, and then everything goes black as he brings a ringed knuckle down onto my face.
I wake when my body is being tossed onto the side walk. I stumble to my knees and can taste the blood on my lip. Anger boils over, Jasmine ratted us out, and she told Demon I was back. I stand on shaky legs, recognizing the neighborhood. They have dropped me off down the road from Chief’s house. I stand and look down at my grazed knuckles and skinned knees. I press my fingers to my lips, split.
I force my legs to move and I walk slowly towards Chief’s house. When I am close, I hear the music and laughing. I can’t wreck this night for him, but he has to know about Jasmine. Thinking of her makes my blood boil. When I step around the corner and into the front yard where the bonfire is blaring, I see the entire club around drinking and chatting. I spot Chief, and Jasmine is sitting beside him laughing and smiling. That does it for me, I walk in and I hear the men calling my name and trying to grip my arms.
“Shit Mischief, what happened?”
“Holy fuck”
Chief looks up and his eyes widen, he stands but doesn’t get to speak because I leap forward. I crash over the back of a chair and grip Jasmine’s hair, yanking her backwards. She lands with a scream and a thud as we stumble over the grass. She swings around and I grip her hair again, twisting it so hard she bellows and drops her arms. I yank her face close.
“You little fucking bitch, do you see my face, do you fucking see it?” I scream.
“Mischief” Chief yells.
“Let em’ go Chief.”
“She’s fucking hurt.”
“I know what you did!” I snarl. “I know you told Demon I was back in town; I know you told him where I was today. How could you?”
I don’t let her answer, I drive a fist into her mouth sending her stumbling backwards. She trips and lands on the grass again, and crawls backwards as I charge towards her. Chief catches me just before I put my boot into her ribs. He wraps his arms around my waist, pinning mine to my sides.
“What is going on?”
“Ask her!” I snarl.
“I am asking you, who did this?”
“Who do you think?”
“Did Demon do this?”
“Yes Demon did this, because she told him where I was!”
“WHAT?” He roars, letting me go and storming towards Jasmine.
“Is that fucking true?”
She stammers, looking terrified. For a moment, I actually feel pity for her.
“He frightens me Daddy; I didn’t know what to do. He had all the men and…”
“YOU LIE!” He roars. “You fucking lie Jasmine, that’s what you do. You give him the wrong location and you tell me!”
“I didn’t think, I never meant to hurt her.”
“You hate me,” I say with a trembling voice. “And I did nothing to you.”
“I don’t hate you!” She cries. “I hate that you had him all your life and I didn’t.”
“That isn’t my fault!”
“I know! I know ok?”
“You could have had me killed.”
She looks away.
“Get out Jasmine” Chief growls.
“Daddy!” She cries.
“Don’t,” I say, gripping his arm. “You will regret it.”
“I don’t want to fucking see her!”
“Jasmine, get out of his way go to your room, lock the door and don’t come out.” Bill orders with a hiss.
Jasmine scrambles to her feet and runs inside. Chief shoves me out of the way and grips a bottle of whiskey as he storms down the road. I stare at Bill and the club members, then sigh and walk inside. I check myself out in the bathroom mirror and scowl. I have a split lip, a red cheek and scratches on my face. Travis will flip. I pull out my phone and see that he has texted saying he will be working late. Not wanting to worry him, I don’t tell him.
I walk into the kitchen and pull out a first aid kit, then I settle down with a hot wash cloth and begin cleaning myself up. Most girls my age would be in a fit of sobs if they were in this situation, I am used to it. I am deep in thought when Chief walks in, he looks mega pissed but softens when he sees me. Looking guilty, he comes and sits beside me, taking the cloth from my hand and dabbing my face with it. I look down at my hands, unsure what I can say right now to ease the pain he must be feeling.
“I don’t think she meant it.” I say softly.
He closes his eyes a moment, and then looks back at me.
“He could have killed you Mischief, he was sending me a message and next time he gets you he will kill you.”
“It isn’t me he wants to hurt.”
“Bullshit.”
“He nearly killed you.” I whisper.
He stops and stares at me.
“He told you that huh?”
“I didn’t know.”
“It was a year ago, I am fine.”
“I am afraid, if he gets you again…”
He grips my chin. “He won’t.”
“How do you know that?”
“I won’t let him.”
“It scares me, this life…you…him.”
“I know kid.”
“Why do you do it Daddy?”
He sighs. “I signed up when I was young and stupid; i
t isn’t something you can get out of easily.”
“You have lost so much…”
“I know.”
“Dad?”
“Mmmmm?”
“Do you still love Mom?”
He grins and looks away. “You know I do.”
“Will there ever be anyone else?”
He frowns. “Never.”
“Are you angry at Jasmine?”
“Fucking yeah, I want to knock her block off.”
“But you won’t.”
He meets my gaze. “How would you know?”
I smile. “Because I have pissed you off so many times over the years, and you never knocked my block off.”
“Close” He says, giving me a small smile.
“Oh?”
“Plenty of times I wanted to, believe me, then you would go on and look at me with those pretty eyes and I would go to shit.”
I smile and huff at the same time.
“You know, you aren’t so bad. A lot of people think I am missing out having a biker as a Dad, but I think they are wrong.”
“I wish I could believe that kid, I really do.”
“You should. You know why it hurt so badly when I found out about Jasmine?”
“Coz’ I lied.”
“No, because I loved you so much I didn’t want to share.”
He snorts. “Don’t know why.”
“You might speak like gutter trash, and whore yourself out to random women, and beat men for information and…”
“Alright, alright”
“BUT, you are a soft and gentle person when all that is put aside.”
“Now come on, you are ruining my image.”
“You ruined mine, it is just payback.”
He raises his brows. “When did I ruin yours?”
“You said I was fat like a sea lion.”
He throws his head back and laughs.
“You crack me up girl.”
I smile and then go silent, so does he because Jasmine walks down the stairs. Chief stands and crooks his finger making her come over and sit beside me.
“Now you two listen to me, and listen good. I am getting on now and I don’t need this shit. I love my daughters, love them to the fucking stars but I won’t be the meat between the sandwich. I love ya both, yes, Mischief and I have a bond but that will grow with you Jasmine, it takes time. It doesn’t mean I don’t care. If you ever rat me out again, you will see the wrong side of me. You are lucky to be sitting here now. I won’t ask again, because I am fucking up to my head with this shit. Get along, neither of you have done anything wrong to each other so just GET ALONG.”
I look at Jasmine and she meets my gaze and for the first time I see her without the snotty cover she usually has on.
“I’m sorry Violet,” She says. “I don’t hate you and I want to get to know you.”
“Mischief…” Chief says.
“Me too” I whisper.
“Then it’s settled, I want to hear no more shit from either of you girls.”
“I’m sorry Daddy,” Jasmine whispers. “He scares me.”
“Stay away from him, and if you see him again you fucking lie then come and tell me.”
She nods and looks over at me again, scrunching up her nose.
“Do you need help cleaning up?”
Chief hands her the cloth and I sigh in defeat. What’s the point in hating her, she is my sister after all. Chief leans in and kisses Jasmine’s head, then moves over to me. His eyes meet mine for long, long moments. I am not sure if it is in warning or love, but he leans down and kisses my head too and then stands.
“I am going to be out front, you girls come out when you are done.”
We both nod and watch him go, and just like that, we have even ground. Chief is our even ground, because we both love him with all our hearts.
CHAPTER TWELVE
“Why do you hate me so much?” I ask Jasmine as she cleans my face.
“It’s not you I hated, it was your life. Look, I am a bitch, I was raised to be a bitch and when I found out about Chief, it got worse. When I met him, I fell in love with him, just like you. He was the Dad I always wanted and I was desperate. I hated that he loved you, hated that you were his number one girl. All the bikers talk about you, the little girl who is Chief’s Mischief. I was insane with jealousy and I didn’t give you a chance.”
“I felt that way too you know? I was heartbroken when you came along but I didn’t hate you until you started treating me the way you did.”
She sighs.
“He is a good Dad, I know why we fought.”
“Do you miss your Mom?” I ask.
She looks away, spotting a bottle of vodka on the bench. She stands and walks over, taking it in her hands and she digs around until she finds two shot glasses. She sits back beside me and fills them.
“One question, one drink.”
Bikers rule, fairs fair. I pick up the shot glass and she does too.
“Yes, I miss her every damned day.” She says, and then shoots back the vodka. She doesn’t cough and I am impressed.
“Do you think Chief loves your Mom?” She asks.
“Yes, I know he does. “ I say, shooting my drink back.
We fill our glasses again.
“Do you love Demon?” I ask.
Her face scrunches.
“I hate him now, I despise him. He was a horrible Dad. Before I knew about Chief, I loved him and wanted so badly for him to love me. Then when he found out I wasn’t his, it was like he was so heartbroken but he still treated me so badly. Demon is an awful man.”
She shoots back her vodka.
“Do you think Chief loved my Mom?” She asks.
I hesitate.
“Don’t lie.” She whispers.
“I honestly don’t know, that is the truth I know my Mom is the love of his life, I never asked him about yours.”
I shoot back my drink.
“I never asked him either.” She says, looking at her hands.
“Maybe you should.”
“Maybe, do you love Travis?”
I smile. “Yeah, I do.”
“He loves you; I watched him over the years and wished someone would love me that way.”
“They will Jasmine, they will.”
“Did you have a good life?” She asks.
“Sure, it was rough but it wasn’t bad. I have very over protective parents, which gets hard to deal with. What about you?”
She smiles.
“My Mom was great, God we used to do so much together. Demon was always away, so we spent so many hours shopping, watching movies and playing together. She was the kind of Mom that all girls want you know? She was strong, and brave…I was devastated when she died.”
“How did she die?” I ask softly.
“Cancer, she didn’t even tell me she had it. She just got sick one day and then boom, she was gone. I should have seen it coming, I should have noticed how she slept more, and looked paler.”
“Are you angry at her?”
She nods, biting her lower lip.
“I am, because she never told me she was dying. She never gave me a chance to run. She never gave me a chance to escape, to come here and be free. It was only because I knew about Chief, that I came and found him. It didn’t matter though, I didn’t fit in here and I felt so alone.”
“Is that why you hated me so much?”
“Yes and no, I told you, I was jealous but I also had no one. I had no one to cry to when I needed to cry, I had no one to turn to when I needed a friend. I had Chief, and he was great but he was so damaged from losing you. He never smiled and I felt awful for that. Being bratty was the only way for me to deal with the way my life was going.”
I nod. “I understand that, sometimes we protect ourselves, even though it makes no sense to others.”
She smiles, shooting another two shots. I follow.
“I’m glad Chief made us do this Violet.”
I nod. “Me t
oo!”
By the time we are three quarters of the way through the bottle we are laughing and giggling about child hood memories and boys. When we decide to join the men outside, it takes a great deal of effort to get out the front door. We are so drunk we are stumbling and clinging onto each other.
“Well hell, check it Chief.” One of the bikers yells.
Chief looks over at us and rolls his eyes, shaking his head at the same time.
“Least they ain’t killing each other.” Bill laughs.
“Thank fuck for that, what you girls doing?” Chief yells.
We both spot him and bound over, leaping on him at the same time. He falls back onto the chair and ends up with one of us on each leg.
“Fucking hell you two, just about broke my fucking legs.”
I roll my eyes and Jasmine laughs.
“I think he is calling us fat.” She grins.
“I think so.”
“You ain’t little girls you know!”
We laugh again.
“Love you Daddy!” We both say at the same time and he finally cracks a smile.
“Now that’s what I like to see.”
“We should go swimming.” Jasmine cries.
“Oh hell yes!”
“No.” Chief says.
“Violet?”
I hear my voice being called and I turn, and there is my Mother standing at the fence. I scream and leap off Chief’s lap. I run over fast and leap into her arms; she stumbles backwards with a laugh. When she pulls away she looks down at my face and her eyes narrow.
“Violet, what happened to your face?” She gasps.
“Oh, Jasmine and I got into a fight its fine we sorted it.”
She looks over at Jasmine, and I know she can see the bruises on her face too. She looks back at me and smiles again.
“I can’t half tell you have been with your Dad.”
I laugh. “You came home? Why’d you come home?”
She looks absolutely radiant. Her blue eyes are sparkling and her hair has lightened from the sun. I beam up at her, but her eyes are set elsewhere. She is looking at Chief, who has stood and is staring long and hard at her. I am tempted to throw a bucket of water of him with the look he is giving her. All the bikers have stopped drinking and are staring.
“Well I’ll be damned, Angel, it’s you.” Bill says, walking over.
She smiles at him. “Bill, is that you?”
Heart Song (The Erotic Rockstar Series) Page 7