Their Fractured Souls: Sons Of Lost Soul MC Book Six

by R. Hunter, Ellie

  I always used to moan how small the kitchen table was when I was growing up, there certainly wasn’t enough room to do my homework on it growing up. Yet, with the urn full of my mom’s ashes sitting in the middle it’s never looked so big.

  Tearing my eyes from the silver-plated urn, I return to scrolling through my phone hoping a job ad will catch my attention on the Find a Job website.

  I’ve cared for my mom for so long I don’t know what I’m going to do or even what I want to do. What I’m capable of. I haven’t even interviewed for a job before. The one job I’ve had, I worked for Rosie Billings in the pet store and I’d known her since I was born. She asked if I could help out one day and that was it. I had a part time job to help out with the bills mom couldn’t afford. After she contracted mumps-thanks to her mom not getting her vaccinated-she started to lose her hearing. She was so poorly, her body was shutting down and she suffered two strokes and her hearing never came back. I don’t remember much of her in the hospital, but I have flashes of visiting her. She wasn’t able to work after and while we lived minimally but comfortably, not ones to want much, it was hard. Now the landlord wants me out the trailer by the end of the week. Our rent has always been on time, I maintain our tiny garden out front, there was no reason for him to kick me out, especially now as I could apply for a full-time position somewhere and cover the rent alone.

  Ads for fast food positions, cleaning staff, I scroll through so many positions but it’s the one offering $10,000 to help teach sign language to a young woman that piques my interest. Not the money so much, although it’s such a vast amount, but the attraction to helping someone with something that comes so naturally to me. This job comes with board and the young woman is only seventeen and recently lost her hearing. I wonder what her story is?

  I email the guy who posted the ad my details and less than five minutes later, my phone rings. I don’t recognise the number, but I answer and press it to my ear.

  “Hello?”

  “Is this Emma Giles? You just emailed me about the sign language job.”

  The guy sounds young. From the description, I was expecting it to be placed by one of her parents. The guy talking now is definitely not old enough to have a seventeen-year-old daughter.

  “This is she. I wasn’t expecting to hear from you so soon.”

  “Can I check your age, you said you’re twenty-one. Is that true?” he asks.

  “Yes, that’s correct.”

  “Can you come and meet my sister tomorrow? We’ve had four people out here and she hasn’t connected with any of them. You’re our last hope.”

  My shoulders weigh down with pressure for a second, but for ten grand and free board while I help the girl, the offer is too extravagant to pass on.

  “Tomorrow is fine. If you send me your address and a time, I’ll be there.”

  “Sounds good.” He pauses and I wonder if I should say something but just as I’m about to fill the silence with ramblings, he says, “Please, help my sister and I’ll give you more than offered in the ad.”

  He sounds more sad than arrogant, just throwing thousands of dollars around and I start to really hope I can help her.

  “I’ll do my best. I look forward to meeting you both tomorrow.”

  He doesn’t bother with goodbyes and ends the call. Oh well, I don’t find him rude as such, more sad judging by his tone.

  I’m guessing if I can connect with the girl, I get the job. Let’s hope so anyway.

  * * *

  I got up far too early this morning and I’m scared I’m going to show up for this interview all dishevelled. I’m on my third cup of coffee and the two extra espressos haven’t helped. I’m excited and I’m nervous, one big ball of emotions and I’m buzzing from the caffeine. My mom used to tell me if the doctor cut me open, I’d bleed coffee. I would laugh at her, but now I tend to agree with her.

  The drive out to Willows Peak is a nice journey. I’ve known of the town all my life, but if you don’t live here or have any business with anyone who does, it’s not a place you visit.

  After taking a wrong turn, I finally find the right address and the first thing I notice is the motorcycles parked up in a pretty row.

  Climbing out of the car, I take a look around without being obvious I’m being nosy. The house seems nice and well maintained. The two cars on the drive are new.

  Heading toward the house, I climb up the porch steps and knock on the front door. I hear two guys deep voices going back and forth with each other and I knock again in case they didn’t hear me.

  After a minute, just when I’m wondering what the hell I’m going to do, the door swings open and a guy who looks in his mid to late forties stands there, wearing jeans and is bare chested. He’s covered in tattoos and I step back and remember to breathe. He’s a good-looking guy for his age and I forget myself and why I’m here.

  “Can I help you?”

  Shaking my head and inhaling deeply. I remember my manners and hold out my hand.

  “I’m Emma Giles, I applied for the sign language job that was posted yesterday.”

  He stares at my hand like I’m an alien, but eventually he shakes it and leans against the doorframe before pushing off and opens the door wider.

  “Come in, please. I forgot you were coming. You spoke with my son yesterday.”

  Oh right, that would make sense. I walk inside, moving past him as he gestures for me to walk through to the kitchen at the back of the house.

  I hear the second guy I heard talking when I was knocking before I see him sitting at the table with a woman who must be Mrs. Simmons.

  “Hi.”

  Hi? That’s all I have to offer? Luckily, she stands and comes over, making introductions between me and her father.

  “My granddaughter recently lost her hearing; she hasn’t connected with previous tutors. We’re hoping you being a woman will change that.” His voice is hard.

  “I can only try, but I’m positive I can help her,” I tell him and feel like I’m talking with a very strict grandfather. “Can I ask, how did she lose her hearing?”

  It could help making a connection with her.

  “No, you can’t,” he says, bluntly.

  Okay. No more questions for him.

  “Please excuse my father, he doesn’t like people,” Kyla gushes and ushers me toward the back door.

  Across the yard, which is huge, a greenhouse larger than my trailer sits proudly in the corner.

  Kyla goes on and on about not taking anything her father says seriously or take his words to heart and to not mind his blunt tones.

  Stepping inside the house of glass, the warmth hits me first and then I see all the flowers and plants. Some of the flowers I’ve never seen before and they’re breathtakingly beautiful. So many colours.

  Kyla weaves us around isles of plants and I watch my step with hose cables and patches of soil on the floor. I catch two figures as we round the last corner and one is a guy wearing a leather cut, just like the old guy in the kitchen and then it hits me. The leather cuts, the motorcycles out front, they’re bikers. The guy sits on the edge of a counter with his back to us, but he hears us approaching and looks over his shoulder.

  He is just as beautiful as the exotic flowers surrounding me. He must be the son. He looks so similar to the guy who answered the door, only younger and more…just more everything.

  Kyla takes the board and marker pen from him and he throws me a curious stare and then smiles. I smile back and then find Victoria frowning my way. I raise my hand and wave with the friendliest, softest smile I can muster. It doesn’t relax her and I drop my hand. Internal pain is coming from her in droves and it’s heart-breaking to see and I’ve only just met her. I understand her brother’s plea for help yesterday on the phone.

  Kyla scrubs the board clear and writes rapidly with the marker. When she’s done, she holds it up for Victoria to read and her eyes swing back to me. She nods at her mom and Kyla puts the board down.

  “Come
on, Myles, let’s leave them to get acquainted.”

  He looks between me and his sister and then brushes by me on his way out not saying a word. He smells good and I scold myself. I’m here for a job, not to eye-up the family members, although their genes are strong in the looks department.

  “We’ll be okay,” I promise him and hope like hell it’s true. I want to help this family already and I don’t even know them.

  Once we’re alone, I walk over to where the board and pen are, with her eyes following my every move.

  ‘Give her a chance, please.’ Is written on the board and I rub it away.

  Swiping the marker over the white board, I write, ‘My name is Emma Giles. Are there any questions you’d like to ask me?’

  I hand over the board and she sets to work, writing a reply. Hopefully this is progress.

  She flips the board and I read her reply, ‘Where are you from?’

  She thrusts the board and marker toward me and I swiftly write my reply.

  ‘A little town called Park Mill, about an hour away from here.’

  She moves and stands next to me so we don’t have to keep passing the board back and forth. She leans in and writes, ‘How do you know how to sign?’

  * * *

  ‘My mom was deaf, I’ve known how to sign since I was five years old.’

  * * *

  ‘Is she happy?’

  * * *

  ‘She was, she passed away last month.’

  * * *

  ‘I’m sorry.’

  * * *

  ‘Being deaf didn’t define her. It doesn’t have to define you either.’

  * * *

  As she reads it, redness washes over her face as she becomes angry, throwing the board on the ground. Her cheeks flush even brighter and her eyes pinch into slits. A strangled cry escapes from between her lips and she pulls back, pointing for me to leave. I automatically sign I’m sorry and she stills. I’ve caught her off guard and I take advantage.

  I pick up the board from where she threw it down and erase her last reply.

  ‘I just said I’m sorry. I can help you. If you let me, I can show you how you can still talk.’

  Her eyes move across the words twice before she takes the marker from me.

  ‘There’s no point. I don’t know anyone else who is deaf.’

  She must feel so alone.

  ‘I can teach your family.’

  * * *

  Hope flashes in her eyes and she lunges forward, gripping onto my arm. I feel so sorry for this girl, not that I will show pity to upset her farther.

  Peeling her fingers from around my arm, I write another message for her.

  ‘I know you’re feeling lonely, like you’re all alone in your own head and in the world, but it doesn’t have to be this way.’

  She finally gives me a full-blown smile and snatches the board from me in her excitement.

  ‘You’ll teach my family?’

  I nod and she continues writing. ‘When can you start?’

  * * *

  ‘Whenever you like.’

  * * *

  ‘Tomorrow?’

  * * *

  I don’t want her to lose the hope she’s grasping onto. I nod and quickly try to figure out how to clear the trailer and be ready to leave in twenty-four hours. It’s workable and I’m going to do this for her.

  My mom would be so proud of me if she knew I was helping others. I finally know what I want to do with my life now she’s not here anymore.

  Crossing over the lawn, I take in my surroundings and notice they have a lovely back yard. Tealights hang from the tree branches, the lawn is mowed neatly, and borders are full of brightly coloured flowers. I push through the back door after knocking to announce my arrival and everyone is sat around the table. Kyla jumps up to her feet to offer me a mug of coffee. The same hope that was just shining in her daughter’s eyes is shining in hers and I put her out of her misery.

  “Victoria would like me to start tomorrow,” I tell her and the others.

  A collection of relieved sighs fill the kitchen and I feel even happier with myself. I’m helping them all, not just Victoria.

  Ricky asks me to sit and I end up in the chair next to Myles. His cologne is all I can smell and I force myself not to let it consume me. There’s just something about a guy who smells nice. I think so anyway.

  “You don’t realise how much this means to us,” Kyla says as she places a mug of coffee in front of me. I add sugar and cream and feel the grandfather’s eyes on me. Man, he’s scary.

  “How long have you been teaching sign language?” he asks and there’s no way I want to lie to him but I don’t know if telling him the truth will hinder my new position. I go with the truth and take a chance.

  “I…um…haven’t taught anyone before, apart from myself.”

  His eyes narrow and it’s like ice courses through my body, freezing me to the chair.

  “Excuse me?” he growls and I gulp.

  “Why did you teach yourself?” Ricky asks quickly.

  “My mom got sick when I little, it made her deaf and so, from the age of five, we had to adapt. I’ve been signing for as long as I can remember.”

  This doesn’t relax the grandfather, but it does with the others.

  “This isn’t going to fucking work, Tor needs someone who knows what they’re doing,” he scoffs, and I flinch.

  However, I need this job and I’m going to keep a hold of it. I sign exactly what I think of him, knowing he doesn’t have a clue what I’m saying and I take great satisfaction.

  “There isn’t anything I don’t know, and I can help your granddaughter if you give me the chance,” I tell him, trying not to let the fear show in my voice.

  “Pope, Tori asked her to come back. No matter the girl’s history, we have to go with Tori’s wishes. It’s the farthest we’ve got with her, she hasn’t lasted more than five minutes with the others.”

  He listens to the dad and purses his lips together as he thinks it over. The grandfather is the boss in this family I’m learning very bloody fast.

  “Fine, you’ll be paid half up front, and the rest once I’m satisfied she knows everything she needs to know,” he finally says, relenting, and I know it’s paining him, judging by the scowl on his face.

  On the inside, I sigh with such relief it makes me dizzy. On the outside, I smile softly and lift the mug of coffee to my mouth.

  “Can I ask, how did you connect with her?” Ricky asks.

  Myles hasn’t said a word since I came in but I’ve felt him staring at me the whole time.

  “I promised her I’d teach you all how to sign so she wouldn’t have to feel alone any longer.”

  Kyla drops her head into hands as her elbows rest on the table top and a small cry leaves her.

  “I didn’t even think about that, of course, she sees us all still talking to each other around her. Of course she’s lonely.”

  Forgetting I’ve only just met them, I place my hand on her back and assure her, “In time, she’ll be able to talk to you all and you with her. She’ll even pick up how to read lips. It will become second nature to her, just like breathing comes to her.”

  She lifts her head and smiles at me. I pull my hand back and catch the grandfather watching me closely.

  “I’ll pay you five grand for every person you teach how to sign.”

  I put my coffee down, afraid it’ll slip from my hold. Five thousand dollars per person. There are four people around this table I could teach, that’s twenty thousand there. With the original ten thousand dollar pay offer, I could make thirty thousand dollars.

  “Pope, you don’t have to do that. Ky and I will cover the extra costs,” Ricky says.

  “I’ve already offered, it’s done. She wants you to start tomorrow, yes?”

  I nod, unable to speak.

  “Then be here early, while there isn’t a time frame, I don’t want her feeling lonely for a second longer than she has to. I’ll come by in
the evenings, you can teach me then. As for the others, fit them in, but mainly work with Tori first.”

  I’d already planned on helping the family for the original fee. As much as I could do with thirty thousand dollars, it doesn’t feel right.

  The guy stands, ready to leave and I stand too. “I got the job with Victoria because I promised to teach her family, I made the promise not expecting extras. The pay is already more than enough.”

  “You’re doing us a service, we’ll pay our way.”

  Then he leaves and I sit back down. I breathe in long and hard. Thirty thousand dollars it is then. I can’t wait to get back to the trailer so I can squeal with joy.

  “Don’t mind him, you’ll get used to him,” Kyla assures me. “Victoria turns eighteen in a few weeks and will be moving into her own place. The ad posted said board, I have a spare room set up for you here and but if she still needs help, will you mind moving with her?”

  She’s asking me if I mind? I’ve just stumbled onto a gold mine, combined with how much I want to help this girl too, I’m more than okay.

  Myles

  When the fine looking tutor leaves, I head out back and leans against the greenhouse doorframe, watching Victoria water her plants. I don’t see the fascination that keeps her out here more than inside the house, but it makes her happy and since we got home from Mercy, it brings her a level of peace none of us has managed to bring her.

  My phone rings and it’s Mason. Pressing ignore, I send him to voicemail. Leaving Tori to her plants, I head around the side of the house and start my bike.

  The ride to the club is quiet and I don’t see anyone until I ride through the gates. With the Black Crows out of the picture, life is good again and I don’t feel like a bullet is going to hit me in the back from an attack at any moment.

  I’ve barely parked when my phone rings again, I nearly ignore it but it could be Tori. It’s not, Hailee’s name flashes up on my screen and I send her to voicemail just like Mason. I haven’t got time for her today and to be honest, I’m a little confused as to why she’s hitting me up now, I haven’t seen her in months. She’s someone who hangs around the club and me and Mase would spend more time with her than the other hang-arounds.