by Eliza Marsh
“If that happens, the club will take care of you two,” Luke replied with a quiet conviction, not wanting her to feel like she would be on her own if he got locked up.
“Well, thank you. But what happens if he picks the drugs over me, and I have to leave him?” She looked at Luke, knowing the club would be forced to back Dean despite how much most of them liked her. “I need something to fall back on, just in case.”
“That’s not gonna happen,” he said gently, his eyes softening as he watched the woman. “I sent Jagger to pick him up from the station twenty minutes ago. He’s the best at talking sense into my stubborn VP. He’ll get Dean back on the right track.”
Jackie sighed, trying to keep her composure in front of the charter’s stern club president. “Well, I do hope you’re right. Because I’m not going to have my child around some temperamental addict.”
“For what it’s worth, I think you and the kid are good for him. I hope everything works out.” It was an oddly sentimental thing for him to say, and Jackie was a bit shocked and unsure of how to respond. “I can probably scrounge up thirty grand for you. I’m sure the guys will be happy to pitch in with any help you might need too.”
She was speechless, her mouth opening and closing like a fish. Of course, she had hoped he would agree to her request, but hadn’t gotten her hopes high knowing him the way she did. “Really? I mean, thank you. You were my last option, so I didn’t think it was going to happen. Holy shit!”
He smiled, a genuine, kind smile, at her youthful excitement. “I’m happy to help, and it sounds like it could be a profitable idea for everyone if you can manage it.”
Jackie hopped off the filing cabinet, her face filled with joy and relief as she tried to contain herself. “I promise you will get all of your money back, even if this thing completely goes to shit.”
“Just out of curiosity, did you tell Dean about this?”
She paused, a smirk on her face. “Oh yeah, he thinks it’s a terrible idea. But fuck him.”
Barking with laughter, he waved his hand towards the door. “Get outta here. I’m assuming you don’t want to see Dean, and Jagger should be back with him any minute.”
Jackie sent him a half-salute and bounced out of the office happily, yelling a farewell to the guys in the garage as they gave her a curious look.
34
Dean slowly made his way out of the police station, glaring at every officer he passed, not knowing which one of them had shown up at his place last night to question Jackie. They had probably done their best to try to convince her that she should press charges, have him arrested for good. But he knew deep down, no matter what they had told him during the interrogation, that she would never be the one to put him away, no matter how much she hated him. He didn’t deserve that kind of loyalty from her, not after everything that had happened.
As he exited the station, the bright midday sun had Dean squinting as he paused at the top of the stairs. A black van parked on the side of the curb caught his attention. He was surprised to find Jagger casually sitting on the back bumper, a cigarette dangling from his mouth.
“What are you doing here?” Dean asked, a bit of an edge in his voice as suspicion began to fill him.
Jagger turned his head at the question to look at his friend, his dark sunglasses hiding the concern in his gaze. “Your lady called me. She’s worried about you.”
Rolling his eyes, Dean began to descend the stairs, his hand immediately going to his aching ribs as the motion jostled them. He should have known Jackie would have called in the cavalry on his behalf after she found out about his latest problem. “I’m fine.”
“Oh yeah, clearly.” Jagger took in the man’s haggard appearance. Despite a shower and clean clothes, the man still looked like he’d been through the wringer. “Cage fighting, parking lot brawls, and a heroin addiction. You’re lucky to be standing.”
Dean came to a stop in front of the Hispanic man, sighing in frustration at the blunt assessment. “So, is this my intervention or something?”
Shaking his head nonchalantly, Jagger stood from his perch and took a drag from his cigarette before responding. “Nah, you’re an adult, you can do whatever you want.” He moved towards the driver seat of the van, Dean watching him cautiously. “But Jackie is also an adult and is prepared to take your kid and leave you if you don’t get your shit together.” With a quick raise of his eyebrows, Jagger opened the door and hopped into the van.
Dean took a deep breath and closed his eyes, reminding himself that Jagger was one of his best friends and not someone he could just beat up for mouthing off. He reluctantly climbed into the van a few moments later, slamming the door shut with more force than necessary. The pair sat in silence as Jagger started the engine and pulled out of the parking lot.
“Am I taking you home?” he asked carefully as he turned onto the main road, still puffing away on his cigarette to feign casualness.
“No,” Dean replied almost immediately. “I’m sure she doesn’t want to see me right now. Just take me back to the clubhouse.”
Jagger grunted and changed lanes, now heading towards the Red Kings’ property. The silence continued, much to Dean’s surprise. He cautiously watched the Lakeside biker, waiting for a lecture or line of questioning to start. When nothing happened, Dean found himself asking a question.
“How is she?”
With a snort, Jagger glanced over to the other man with an exasperated look. “How is she? What do you think? She finds out you’re on drugs, then you rock up a few hours later looking like this, and then you get arrested. She’s pissed.” He paused, flicking his cigarette out of the window before continuing. “But she’s tough. She’s okay. Nash and Tyler checked up on her.”
Dean rolled his eyes at the mention of Tyler’s arrival, knowing the younger man was going to give him hell when they next met up. “Good, I’m glad.”
“Yeah, well, don’t get too excited. She’s making plans to take care of herself should you decide not to get clean or you get yourself arrested. I’m guessing since you’re sitting in this van that the feds had nothing to hold you on?”
Shaking his head, Dean leaned an elbow against the door and propped his head in his hand. “Nah, not yet. I put one of the Saints in the hospital, but they’re all keeping quiet about what happened. Whoever called it in to the cops didn’t stick around to witness a whole lot. They’re running on suspicions, that’s it.”
“You got lucky this time. That luck is gonna run out soon.”
With a sigh, Dean let his head fall back against the seat with a thud. “I know.”
Jagger turned down the side street leading to the garage, watching Dean out of the corner of his eye. “Jackie is a smart girl, D. She’s not going to put up with your shit much longer. Not with a kid to worry about.” Rubbing a hand over his face, Dean merely grunted in response as they pulled into the parking lot. Jagger pulled the keys from the ignition and turned slightly to stare at his friend. “Well, not to make you feel worse, but Luke is livid, and I’m sure you’re in for a lashing from him.”
“He can get in line. Seems like everyone is pissed at me lately.”
Opening the door, Jagger slid out of the van with a smirk. “You have been more of an asshole than usual.”
“Gee, thanks,” Dean replied sarcastically, also exiting the vehicle. They entered the garage's office only to be greeted by Elijah and Mack, who made similar expressions as they took in Dean’s rough appearance.
“You look like shit,” Elijah said bluntly from his place at the desk, payroll notebooks open in front of him.
“So I’ve been told,” Dean grumbled in response, stopping at the counter and leaning his elbows against it. “Where do you need me?”
Mack eyed him in concern, noticing the way the man was holding himself and favoring his left side. “Why don’t you let me take a look at you first? That cut on your head looks gruesome, and I can tell you’ve done something to your ribs.” Mack’s brief training in
combat medicine during his stint in the Army made him the most qualified doctor in the charter, convenient when hospitals were strictly out of the question.
“I’m fine,” Dean said with a loud sniff, though he could tell by the look on the older man’s face that he wasn’t getting away.
Mack responded with an indignant snort as he pushed himself off of his bent position against the counter. “Yeah, sure you are. C’mon, I’ve got some supplies stashed in the clubhouse. I’ll put you right back together again, Humpty Dumpty.”
An eye roll was the only response Dean could muster before he turned on his heel and followed obediently across the lot. At least it would buy him some time before he got his ass chewed out by the boss.
35
“So, he still hasn’t come home?” Charlotte asked, haphazardly dumping a bag of toys out onto the living room floor for Logan to play with. “What an asshole. You should just kick him out.”
“Well, it’s his apartment…”
“Fine, come stay with Eli and me.”
Jackie leveled her with a doubtful stare. “Yeah, 'cause that wouldn’t create any problems. Besides, it’s only been a day. I’m not ready to give up on him just yet.”
With a shake of her head, Charlotte picked up her purse off the couch. “You put up with too much from him. But hey,” she gently grabbed her friend by the shoulders and grinned. “You’re about to buy a diner. And it’ll be all yours. Well and a little Luke’s, but mainly yours.”
Smiling widely, Jackie couldn’t contain her excitement. “I’m gonna call the guy today and tell him I came up with the money. He better not try to give me any shit about this deal.”
Charlotte released the younger woman, a fierce look in her eyes. “If he does, you call me. We’ll sort that guy right out.” Jackie laughed as Charlotte bent down to say goodbye to Logan. “Be good for Ms. Jackie, baby.” Standing back up, she headed towards the door. “Thanks for watching him. I shouldn’t be too long.”
“Of course, happy to return the favor for once. And Tyler is here, so he can give me a hand if I need it.”
With a skeptical look in response to that statement, Charlotte gave a little wave and exited the apartment. Jackie turned back to the living room to find two sets of wide, innocent eyes staring back at her.
“Who’s hungry?”
Tyler stumbled down the hallway in a haze a couple of hours later, his shower not enough to wash away the hangover of last night’s impromptu party at the Macon clubhouse. He’d somehow managed to make it back to Dean and Jackie’s apartment, though he had very little memory of it all. Thankfully, Dean had not followed him, nor had he been particularly present at the night’s events. This meant Tyler had been able to peacefully crash in the bed with Jackie instead of the shitty, beat-up couch that left him stiff in the mornings.
Entering the living room now, he paused as he saw the two children on the floor. One was obviously supposed to be there, his darling nephew. The other was significantly older and significantly darker. His scrambled brain had him scratching a hand through his still-wet, shaggy hair.
“Hey, Jack, you know you have an extra kid?”
Jackie came out of the kitchen with an eye roll and a cup of Goldfish. “That’s Logan, Elijah’s kid. His wife has been watching Oliver for me while I go to work, so I return the favor when she needs time to do stuff.”
“Right.”
She directed the dazed biker towards the couch, pushing him down onto the cushioned surface unceremoniously. “Do you want me to make you some breakfast?” she asked Tyler as she handed the cup of Goldfish to Logan, who grinned up at her widely, then glanced at her watch. “Or lunch rather, it’s almost noon.”
Tyler groaned, both at the late hour and the mention of food. “I might puke if I eat.”
“Charming,” she replied in disgust, not understanding how the guys partied as hard as they did despite being grown adults. Although she supposed most of the others didn’t look nearly as haggard as her amateur best friend.
Taking a seat on the floor next to Oliver, Jackie tried not to laugh as Tyler threw an arm over his eyes and moaned in displeasure at his aches and pains. Logan, however, was utterly oblivious to the newcomer’s agony and crawled over to the couch, action figure in hand.
“You be Cap’n 'merica?” the three-year-old asked cheerfully, holding the toy out in offering. Tyler moved his arm to see who was speaking, jumping when he opened his eyes to find a brightly-colored, plastic toy shoved in his face.
“Christ, kid! Don’t sneak up on people.” With a raised eyebrow from Jackie, Tyler sighed in defeat and grabbed the toy, allowing the child to move back to his original spot before lazily rolling himself onto the floor with a loud thud. “Ow.”
A knock distracted Jackie from her laughter. “It’s open!” she shouted, too tired to get up from her seated position.
Jagger entered the apartment with an exasperated sigh. “How many times do I have to tell you to lock your damn door?” he exclaimed, shutting the door and putting his hands on his hips like an upset parent. “You’re gonna get robbed one of these days.”
She gave him a look of disbelief as she angled her head towards him. “Have you met the father of my child? He’s an actual animal. Nobody in their right mind would break into this apartment.”
He waved his hand in dismissal at the comment as he tossed himself on the couch. “Whatever you say, sweetcheeks. But speaking of your baby daddy, he seems to be firmly camped out at the clubhouse, so don’t expect him home tonight.”
Jackie rolled onto her side and used a free hand to rub Oliver’s belly softly. “I figured as much after he didn’t come home last night. Did you at least manage to talk him into kicking the drugs?” She tried not to sound too hopeful, but she couldn’t help wanting to have her family back together.
The two bikers exchanged a glance, both knowing it was a loaded question not easily answered. “Well…” Jagger trailed off, trying to choose his words carefully. “He’s not really the type you can tell to do something. So we’ve all confronted him about it, and now we just have to wait for him to come to a conclusion.”
She locked eyes with him, wanting to know the truth. “And what conclusion do you think he’ll decide on? You know him better than most.”
Jagger sighed and ran a hand over his scruffy face. “He wants to get clean, was really upset that you found out about the drugs.” He glanced at Tyler, whose unusually-stoic expression told him he wasn’t about to compromise Dean’s integrity with his next words. “The guy hates that he can’t handle everything, makes him feel weak. He never had the intention of letting this get out of control, but unfortunately, heroin makes its own rules.” Jagger sat up, resting his forearms on his knees as he watched mother and son. “But I think he wants to try. He just needs to decide that he’s ready. Forcing him into it will only make it worse.”
It was Jackie’s turn to sigh, not liking to hear about someone she loved suffering, especially when she wasn’t there to help. Part of her wanted him home, drugs and all, so that they could battle his demons together. The other part felt like she’d done enough for him the last few years, and it was time for her to focus on her own problems for once.
Seeing the contemplative expression on her face, Jagger rose from the couch and motioned for Tyler to join him. “We gotta go. Vic wants us back in Lakeside.” He turned his attention to the woman now rising from the floor, baby in hand. “Sorry for the short visit, doll. No rest for the wicked.”
“Well, thanks for coming when I called.” She wrapped him in a one-armed hug, trying not to squish Oliver in between them. “And thanks for putting up with Tyler long enough to bring him with you.”
Jagger kept her close, an arm across her shoulders. “I’ll always come when you call,” he said quietly into the top of her head for only her to hear. He then pulled back, sending a smirk to the hungover blonde. “And I didn’t invite him. The little shit barged into my trip without asking.”
Responding with only a mocking smile, Tyler jokingly shoved him out of the way to get to his best friend. “Well, if someone had called me instead, I wouldn’t have had to tag along. But it was good to see the two of you, anyways.” He grinned down at the four-month-old in Jackie’s arm as Oliver giggled back at him.
Seemingly having just noticed the fifth occupant of the room, Jagger pointed down to Logan, who was happily ignoring the adults as he continued to play with his toys on the floor.
“Did you know you've got an extra kid?”
36
Dean had been up since early that morning, unable to sleep after the shitstorm that hit him yesterday. Five hours of interrogation at the police station, a stern lecture from Luke, and the cold disappointment in the eyes of his brothers at the news of his relapse was more than enough for one day. So he’d tossed himself out of bed before the sun was up and headed to the garage, his clearer head telling him to start making up for his recent behavior.
He began by tidying the place up, a job usually delegated to the prospect. But as Elijah had proven that his time was better spent not doing grunt work, the cleaning had been neglected as of late, and it was starting to show. Dean spent almost an hour sweeping the floors, organizing tools, and filling up several bags of trash to throw out. When the garage looked as good as his cleaning skills could manage, he moved on to the work of the day. There weren’t many cars waiting to be serviced, so he backed out the few ready for pick up and parked them out front. Job done, he picked the remaining vehicle with the most complicated problem and set to work.
Halfway through the diagnostic of the ten-year-old Honda Civic, Dean could feel the lack of narcotics begin to take effect on his body. He clenched a shaky hand, staring down at it with a sigh. Despite keeping himself busy all morning, he could no longer distract himself from the issue he was trying to handle.