Mace Chapter 3
I knew I needed to say something, but I couldn’t. The wind was still gone from my lungs. I was stunned into silence. I did at least nod to her after Agony made the introduction and explained again that she needed our help. When I shook her hand, that invisible fist that seemed to slam into my stomach eased, but an electrical current zapped its way throughout my body. I didn’t want to lose the connection, so I held onto it for a few extra moments when she tried to pull her hand away.
During that time, I took in everything I could about her. It was all surface things, and usually, that was what determined whether I spent time with a woman—her looks. You didn’t need to know about her mind or anything else if all you were doing was having sex. However, my inner voice or whatever told me there was much more to her. I needed to discover it all.
First, her name. It was unusual, and I loved the way it rolled off the tongue. It came out sounding like Jess-A-Me. I wondered where it came from and what it meant. Along with having a lovely name, she was stunning. Even dirty and disheveled, it couldn’t hide her beauty and allure.
Her skin was a warm ivory color, not the cold white you expect for someone so fair. It seemed slightly sun-kissed. Her hair was a honey blond with lighter ends. It reached below her shoulders. It was messy and greasy right now, but I could imagine how it would shine when clean. Her face was an oval shape with a dainty nose and full lips. The kind of lips I’d heard someone once compared to a bow, whatever that meant. All I saw was a kissable mouth, which wasn’t something I ever thought about. Kissing wasn’t my thing.
I couldn’t tell how tall she was, but where her feet were in the bed, I’d say she was of average height. The sheet obscured her shape, but what I could see suggested she was shapely. The thing that sucked me in was her eyes. I’d never seen eyes like hers before. They were a light violet color. No, they weren’t blue, they were purple. I wanted to get closer to see if she was wearing contacts, which would be a disappointment. Those eyes made me feel like she could see into my soul. Her long lashes blinked, breaking our contact, and I was back to paying attention.
I had no idea how long I stood there like a mute, but based on the slight smirk Agony wore, along with Twisted, it was long enough for them to notice. Damn, I’d be hearing about this from them later. They’d be full of questions and want to tease me about it. I had no idea how to respond, but that was a problem for later. Right now, we needed to figure out what was up with Jessamy and how to help. Eliana’s words to Agony when she came to get him about something terrible and the fact they found her locked in the bathroom made me dread hearing what happened.
“Jessamy, we know you’re tired. And you probably want some food, rest, and a bath. I promise you’ll get those as soon as possible. However, I can’t, with a good conscience, not get to work on whatever is happening in our town. I need you to tell Mace and me what happened to you. I know these three can repeat what you said, but I need to hear it from you,” Agony told her kindly yet firmly.
Eliana handed her a glass of water. Jessamy greedily drank it before starting. As she laid out her kidnapping and how she came to be in a trucker’s rig and able to escape at Pagan Depot, my fury built more and more.
I’ve heard a lot of terrible stories in my lifetime. Our friends in the other clubs had especially horrendous ones. I was no stranger to them, and what happened to Jessamy, while awful, wasn’t nearly the worst that could’ve occurred. However, the fury it made me feel was the worst I’d ever felt about one of these tales. I clenched my fists, trying not to punch something and roar out my rage.
A hand squeezing my shoulder tightly and Bones’ voice whispering in my ear made me slightly relax. “Mace, I don’t know what’s eating at you, but you’ve got to chill. If you go off, Jessamy will freak out. She’s been strong, but she’s on the edge of cracking.”
I heard his admiration for her in his tone. The idea that he felt something for her, beyond a patient-doctor thing, made my anger rise again. What the fuck was wrong with me? Bones stared into my eyes as I glared at him over my shoulder. Our staring contest ended when Agony called for us to pay attention. He was frowning. When Agony frowned, messing with him wasn’t a good idea. Usually, he liked to joke, laugh, and flirt. Well, he hasn’t flirted much these days, not since he got Eliana. She was the only one he had a genuine desire for.
“Are you two paying attention?” Agony barked.
Jessamy jerked. He was instantly back to paying attention to her. So was I and Bones.
“I’m sorry, Jessamy. Sometimes, I’ve got to make sure all the kids are awake. Okay, thank you for telling us all that. I know it was hard. I’d like to know where you were taken from. If you’d give me your address, that would be great.”
“Why do you need my address?”
“We happen to have a great brother in the club. His name is Wire. He’s called that because the guy is crazy good with computers. He can find just about anything about anyone. I want him to dig into your life. I can’t shake the feeling that the two men who took you didn’t randomly pick you. I think you were targeted, and they followed and plotted to grab you. Those other women and girls who were in the back of Leland’s truck may have been targeted, too. Others were just in the wrong place at the wrong time.” When Agony paused, Jessamy responded.
“They planned to sell us. What I don’t understand is even if this Wire can find information and help determine why I was taken, what will you do with it? Take it to the cops? Why not just have them talk to me now? I would think they’d be able to get the same information that Wire can. Why go to all that effort? Don’t take this to mean I’m not grateful for what you’ve done because I am. I don’t know what I would’ve done, but this isn’t your problem.”
Hearing that snapped me out of my muteness. “Like hell, it isn’t our problem. We have people, and we have no idea how many or who is coming through our town with people they’ve kidnapped. They’re conducting human trafficking. On top of it, at least one, but probably more, are using our truck stop as a stopping point. What if they do more? This club has never sat back when someone like you needs help. Our friends in a few other clubs have dealt with this human trafficking shit, and we’ve helped them with their efforts. Lastly, cops won’t get nearly what Wire can, and if he needs help, we have some people who are the best in the world. Besides, cops typically go too slow and have too many rules to follow. By the time they get ready to arrest someone, who knows how many lives will have been ruined.”
Jessamy sat there mulling over what I said. After a couple of minutes of silence, she answered me. “I don’t mean any disrespect. I can see your point on several things, but it still comes down to me being a stranger. You have no obligation to help me. You don’t know me. Why stick your neck out? These men could be very dangerous. I know you said you helped friends before, but how? Doing what? I don’t want anyone to get hurt or killed because you’re trying to help me. You should leave it to the professionals.”
Bones prevented me from saying more. “Jessamy, what we’ve done to help in the past has freed numerous people. Some of them have become old ladies, I mean, wives of our closest friends. Others have gone on to reclaim their lives or start a new one. Their victims never have to worry about those monsters hurting them or anyone else again. None of us have gotten hurt. We’re careful. Several of us have prior military experience. We don’t go in without plans. We stick our necks out, as you call it because it’s the right thing to do. One of our guiding principles is to protect the innocent. You and those women who were with you are innocent. That’s all we need to get involved, although there may be more in your case.”
She frowned. “What does that mean?”
I knew what he meant, and so did Agony. Pres spoke next. “He just means that we may find that those people who took you are causing bigger issues for us and our business than we know. Are you willing to help us? Give us your address and other information so Wire can get to work. The longer we wait, the more victims there might be.”
She glanced around the room at all of us. After that, she sighed and threw up her hands. “Alright, I’ll give it to you. Does anyone have a pen and paper? I’ll write it down for you. Just make sure when the time comes, the right people take those bastards down. Every last one deserves to roast in hell. The things Leland did to some of those others make me sick. What those first two did to me was bad enough. I can’t imagine how horrible it was for them to be raped by Leland. And who knows what their fate will be when they get to the end of the line, wherever that is.” She shivered. Bones handed her the pen and paper, and she started writing.
I wanted to hold her, but I knew that wasn’t the right move. I was a stranger to her. However, that need was surpassed by another rather quickly.
“What do you mean what those two men did to you? What did they do, Jessamy?” I asked.
Her eyes widened, and her face flushed red. She glanced at Eliana, Zari, and Bones. Their expressions said they knew.
“I…” Jessamy said, then stopped.
“I think Jessamy has had enough for now. She needs rest, to eat and drink, and to get her medications started. I need one of the prospects to go to the pharmacy and pick up a couple of prescriptions for her. And I know she’d love a bath.” Bones smiled at her. She smiled back. I was back to clenching my fists and wanting to hit something, or in this case, someone—my brother, Bones.
“Then we’ll leave you to it. Once Bones says you’re good to go, we’ll move you to a much nicer room. Until then, we’ll ensure someone is with you if you need something. Don’t hesitate to tell us,” Agony said.
I was practically pushed out of the room. Twisted came with Agony and me, while the two women remained behind with Bones. Out in the hallway, I turned to go back in, but I was prevented by the wall consisting of my president and my best friend.
“You need to come with us. Now,” Agony hissed softly.
No doubt he did it so no one in the room could hear. Knowing it was an order, I couldn’t disobey, so I reluctantly followed Agony. Right behind me was Twisted. I wasn’t sure if he was there as my friend or as the club’s treasurer. After all, he was an officer and deserved added respect. I kept my mouth shut and didn’t ask him what was up. I already knew what this was about. It was only a few minutes before we were in Agony’s office behind closed doors. He gestured for us to take seats. He took another.
“Mind telling me what’s going on with you? I thought you said you had a good holiday with your family,” Agony started.
“Nothing is wrong with me, and yes, I had a great time with them. I’m a tad frustrated that my sister still won’t move here, so I can help keep an eye on her, the kids, and my parents. If Bridgit moves here, they will.” I’d told the guys this before, so it wasn’t news.
“It’s more than that. You’ve been battling that for years. Are you sure you didn’t have trouble while you were there?” Agony asked.
“Pres, I swear on my patch, I had no trouble while in Hickory. What’s up with this interrogation?”
“It’s not an interrogation. You were on edge in there and cruising for a fight. It looked like with Bones, although I can’t see why,” he answered.
“I was ticked about what Jessamy said about those people who took her and those other women. It makes me sick. I’d like to get my hands on those sons of bitches and make them hurt and pay.”
“Twisted, Bones, and I feel the same, so why glare at Bones like he was your enemy?” Agony asked.
“I don’t know what you want me to say!” I half-hollered. I came half out of my seat before I was pushed back down by Twisted.
“He’s trying to get you to see what we saw, dumbass.”
“And what is that?” I snapped.
“You were reacting like a man who was pissed that another man might be interested in his woman. You were prepared to battle it out with him. When he smiled at her, and she returned it, you wanted to punch him. You didn’t want him to stay in that room with Jessamy,” Twisted babbled.
I stared at him with my mouth hanging open. Twisted was watching me closely. Agony had an expectant look on his face. After a deafening silence, I replied.
“Agony, I don’t know what you think you saw, but you’re way off base. I feel for her. Of course I do. I want to kill those men who took her and those others. I want us to shut that shit down for good. I’m concerned about what issues it might cause her and the others down the road. That’s what had me upset, not Bones,” Even as I said it, I knew I was lying. But I wasn’t open to telling them how she’d made me feel. Those confused feelings would stay with me.
Agony sighed. Twisted nodded to him. “Alright, then you’re free to go. Welcome home. See you later in the common room. I assume you’ll be celebrating being home tonight. We’ve missed you,” Agony said.
I stood. “I want to see everyone, but I need to take my rucksack to the house and shower. See you later,” I said casually.
They both rose. I walked over, opened the door, and strolled out. I went slow and pretended that nothing was wrong. I returned greetings the whole way. My bag was right where I left it. After telling everyone standing or sitting in the common room that I’d be back later, I left. I got on my bike after stowing my bag. I wasn’t sure why I took it inside in the first place. Starting my bike, I took off. It wasn’t far from the clubhouse to my house, but I preferred to have my bike there. My house was the only one to the right of the clubhouse if you were facing it. It was good to be home, I thought as I parked my bike in the garage.
Some of the guys thought I was crazy for building a house rather than living in the clubhouse. They hadn’t lived in that loud, barely any privacy place as long as I had. Sure, it was convenient, but you also didn’t have much privacy unless you stayed locked in your room, and that was no fun.
I wandered the house first, just to feel the welcome. Since moving into it, I’d never go back to living like I was, even if it had way too much room for just one person. I might not talk about it, but there was the hope that one day, I’d be sharing it with someone. Hell, who knows? Maybe I’d have a couple of ankle-biters of my own running around the place.
I threw my dirty things from my rucksack into the hamper in my bedroom and then stripped to take a shower. As the water heated and I puttered around putting other stuff away, I couldn’t help but think of Jessamy. Climbing into the shower, I let the water pound down on me.
I didn’t know what it was that had captured my attention, to the point my brothers who were in there saw it. Sure, she was attractive, even when she was grimy. However, I knew nothing about her. What if she turned out to be a not-so-nice person? I didn’t think she was lying about being taken, but what if she knew more than she was saying? Or she was totally honest and wonderful. What good would it do for me to get attached to her when she leaves and returns to her life? As long as she said she’d been held, she wasn’t from North Carolina.
By the time I was done, I’d made my decision. I’d help however she needed, but I’d keep my distance. Going to the clubhouse tonight, I’d concentrate on having fun with my club family and checking out the new bunnies. It had been a while since I’d gotten laid. It was time I did. That must be why I was reacting the way I was to Jessamy. I was horny. I’d get laid, and that would take care of it.
???
The clubhouse was lively by the time I returned. I’d made myself dinner and relaxed after my shower before coming over. It was already ten o’clock. The families should be at home or headed there, and the entertainment was about to start. I figured the committed brothers would still hang so we could talk for a while. If not, it still left several to hang out with, although I hoped Twisted would be there. I missed the big bastard.
Music played in the background, but it wasn’t so loud you couldn’t hear yourself talk. The lights were low. The smell of alcohol, the mix of colognes and perfumes, and other scents welcomed me. My first stop was at the bar to get a drink. Then I’d go hunting. As I passed people, they welcomed me.
Manning the bar was Rune, one of our three prospects. He and Bodie had been with us for about eight months. They were doing a good job, as far as I could see. They’d earn their patch and become a brother if they kept it up. Atticus had been here just over a year. We used to make people prospect for a year and then decide. We thought it was a good idea when we heard a few of our other friends’ clubs were taking longer. Now, they’d have to prospect for a year and a half to two years first. This helped too if they were young when they came like I was. I was a cocky thing when I asked to join. I don’t know why the prior president, Misery, didn’t kick my ass more and tell me to hit the road. Whatever it was he saw in me, I was eternally grateful.
Misery had been Agony’s dad’s best friend. Agony’s dad had been in the club, but he and his old lady died when Agony was five. Their car slid on ice into a pond, and they drowned. Tana, his grandmother, raised Agony, and when the time came, he joined the club and worked his way to become president.
“What can I get you, Mace?” Rune asked.
By now, all the prospects should know what every member preferred as their usual drink, so I said, “My usual.”
He nodded and went to the fridge. It was well stocked with a variety of beers. The shelves behind the bar were lined with plenty of different alcohols, and we also kept a selection of non-alcoholic drinks. When he returned and sat the bottle of beer down in front of me after he popped off the cap, I nodded. He remembered.
Taking it, I began to circulate. I didn’t feel like sitting down. I needed to move. I felt restless. I scanned the room for Twisted first. I was disappointed not to see him. I guess he went home after all. It was a reasonable assumption since I didn’t see Zari anywhere, either. Neither Aliya nor Arif were there. In fact, scanning more, I noticed that all the kids were gone. Spotting Pope, Cyclone, and Hulk close by, I headed over to join them.
“Hey, it’s about time you got your ass home. How were the folks, your sister, and the kids?” Pope asked.
“They’re all great. What? You missed me that much?” I joked.
“We missed you like hell. We just want you back to work. Dare has been saying how busy it has been at the garage,” Cyclone said.
“Sure you haven’t,” I jeered.
“Any luck convincing your fine sister to move here?” Hulk asked.
I gave him what I hoped he took as an evil look of promise. “Hulk, if my sister ever moves here, you’d better think twice about messing with her. She’s had enough of assholish men. Anyone coming near her better want more than sex, and they’ll have to get my approval,” I warned him.
Instead of getting upset, Hulk nodded. “I don’t blame you a bit. If she did move here and were interested in a relationship, I wouldn’t fuck her around. I think she’s great. The whole living in Hickory sucks, though. Who knows? If she ever does, you might get me as your brother-in-law,” he said with a wink and a grin.
I groaned. “Jesus Christ, don’t threaten me with that.” All three of them laughed.
I was about to ask them how it was going with them and their jobs when Pope went off on another topic.
“Speaking of women, did you see the one Twisted and Zari brought in? Jessamy. I hate what happened to her and those poor other women who didn’t escape when she did. Where do you think they ended up? It’s tearing her up thinking about it.”
“How do you know it’s tearing her up?” I asked. When had he met her?
“Well, you were there when Bones and Eliana checked her out. Don’t tell me she didn’t give Agony details on what happened. When I saw her earlier, she seemed very sad and hurt. I’d hoped she’d stay longer and let us take her mind off it,” Pope added.
“You saw her? Where? She shouldn’t be out of bed wandering around,” I snapped.
“Hey, cool it. She was just getting a lay of the land. Zari and Eliana were showing her around. I introduced myself,” he explained.
“Yeah, she seemed nice, and I have to say, she’s a welcome addition around here,” Cyclone added as he grinned and elbowed Pope, who nodded in agreement.
“Welcome, how? She’s bringing trouble with her. We’ll have to clean it up. We’ll likely have to get other clubs involved. She’s brought a fucking mess, is what she’s done,” I vented.
I knew two things as soon as I said it. One, I didn’t mean it. Two, that Jessamy was in the room and had heard me. The hairs stood up on the back of my neck. Based on the looks on Cyclone, Pope, and Hulk’s faces, she was behind me. I slowly turned, formulating my apology, but I never got the chance to say it.
I was right. She was standing no more than five feet away from us. Eliana was with her. The look of disappointment on the president’s old lady’s face made me feel sick to my stomach. However, the look of pain on Jessamy’s face made me want to punch myself in the mouth. Her pain quickly morphed into anger. Without a word, she turned on her heels and walked away.
I knew I couldn’t let her leave without explaining and asking her to forgive me, but I didn’t get to. When I went to go after her, Agony and Dare popped up out of nowhere. Based on the pissed looks on their faces, they’d heard me, too. God, could this night get any worse?
“Mace, your ass in church. Now,” Agony growled.
Not bothering to say another word, I went. They stayed behind, so I had no idea how long I’d be in there before they joined me. While I waited, I tried to figure out what to tell them. Why had I said that? I’d never resented helping anyone in the past. In truth, I didn’t resent that we’d have to go after filth because of Jessamy. It all came down to how she was mixing me up. I kept acting out of character, and it all started after I met her.
It was at least ten minutes before I was joined. When Agony and Dare entered the room, they had the other officers with them. Shit. I was fucked. They all took their designated seats. I tried to gauge how mad Hulk, Knight, and Twisted were, but they all had their faces set in bland expressions. Agony stared at me for a minute or more before he said anything. I knew better than to speak first.
“Mace, I can’t believe you. You came back, and we were all happy to see you. The next thing I know, you’re almost fighting with Bones, and when asked if you’re alright, you say yes. Then, you say hurtful things that add to a guest’s pain. She’s been hurt enough, and your words were like a slap. She’s already uncomfortable with us going after those men who took her and the others. She’s afraid, and she doesn’t want to put her problems on anyone, then you more or less say she is.”
“I couldn’t believe my ears,” Dare muttered.
“You were out of line, man. How did it go from talking about Jessamy being here to her bringing us problems? Pope, Cyclone, and I were referring to her as a great addition because, no matter what, she’s a beautiful woman. Hell, who knows? After this is over and she heals from whatever they did to her, she might be a match for one of us. Did you ever think that? You’re ruining what might be a brother’s chance at happiness,” Hulk snapped.
At his mention of one of my brothers being with her, my aggression shot up. I wanted to scream that if any of them touched her, I’d tear their heads off. My fists were clenched underneath the table where none of them could see them.
“What took us so long to join you was we had to settle Jessamy down. She was insisting she leave tonight. She asked if we’d loan her enough money for a hotel and to get a bus ticket home to Arizona. She promised to pay us back. She was in tears. You have my Storm ready to come in here and kick your ass,” Twisted said with a sigh.
“I’ve never known you to be cruel. I don’t know what put you in this mood, but you’d better get rid of it. We’re helping her whether you like it or not,” Knight bit out.
“Those men snatched her off the street when she was on her way home from the store. It was in a quiet, low-crime area. They knocked her out. This next part doesn’t leave this room. If it does, heads will roll. For two days, she was at their mercy. They terrorized her and thought it would be fun to threaten her with rape. They grabbed and squeezed her breasts until they were bruised, and then they stuck their fingers inside of her. She says she’s lucky that she wasn’t raped like the others when they were given to the trucker. He raped plenty of them. Every time they stopped for the night, they had no idea who would get it. Only the thing is, she was raped. It was just a different kind. Any man who does that deserves to be hunted down and killed. This is what we do. So fuck whatever crawled up your ass. If you want to be an asshole and not help, that’s fine. You can go hang with Wrath and his guys until this is over,” Agony growled.
As they finally fell silent, even though the air was oppressive, I spoke up. “I’d like a chance to talk if you’ll listen.” I paused to see if they’d say no. I got chin lifts or nods from everyone.
“Let me start by saying I didn’t mean a word of what I said out there. Honestly, why I said it, I have no fucking clue. I told the truth. My time away was great. When I returned and discovered a woman was rescued, I was as curious as anyone else. I figured we’d help her. I wondered what we’d have to do. Then, I went with Agony to see her after her examination. Something pushed me to go. I told you that, Agony.” I paused to remind him. He nodded.
“Then I get in there, and it’s like an invisible punch to the gut hit me. I couldn’t breathe or speak. Everything about seeing her like that offended me. I wanted to scream and go find those fuckers.” I stopped to regain my cool. I was getting angry, and I was still sick from what Agony had told me about those men touching her. I agreed with him. She had been raped, just in a non-typical way.
“When you got upset with Bones in there, was it due to him being friendly to her?” They were smiling at each other. “You know, as a doctor, he saw her naked body, and he put his fingers inside of her,” Agony said offhandedly.
Instantly, fury hit me, and I couldn’t choke it down. I let out a loud roar, “Noooo!” I came bounding to my feet. I was ready for a fight. Without another thought, I headed for the door. I would find her, explain that I was sorry, and then keep guard. No one would ever touch her.
Hulk blocked the door. Twisted, Dare, and Knight all came at me. I tried to get around them, but three to one was a fight I couldn’t win. They got a hold of my arms, and Twisted grabbed the back of my neck. They marched me back to my chair and pushed me down into it. They stood, trapping me between them and the table. Agony had remained in his seat. He was back to staring at me.
“What?” I snarled. At this point, I didn’t give a fuck.
He folded his arms over his chest, leaned back in his chair, and got an amused look on his face. I didn’t see anything funny about this.
“Mace, you really don’t know what this is about?” Agony asked.
“I told you I don’t!”
“You’re exhibiting signs of a condition that four of the six of us in here know very well. Only you and Hulk don’t, though I suspect Hulk may realize what it is.”
Hulk nodded and exchanged an amused look with Twisted.
“Then what the fuck is it? How do I get rid of it?”
“It’s easy to get rid of. Well, you never entirely get rid of it, but you can tame it. All you have to do is stop fighting your natural inclination,” Agony added.
I was still lost. “What the hell are you talking about, Pres?”
“He’s talking about you admitting that you’re overwhelmingly attracted to Jessamy, that you’re trying to deny it for some stupid reason, and she’s the one you want,” Twisted said with a smile.
I threw up my hands. “Sure, after this mess is over and she’s healed from what she went through, I wouldn’t mind if she and I slept together. It can’t be anything more if you’re thinking that. She lives in Arizona. I’m not doing some long-distance thing for sex. I can get it here anytime I want.” I forced myself to sound unconcerned.
Hulk snorted. “Hell, Pres, if that’s all he wants out of Jessamy, then he’s out of luck. He doesn’t want her for more than being a fuck buddy, but there are others who want more. It just eliminates a competitor.”
My head snapped around so I could glare at him. “Do you think you’re one of those competitors?”
“No. I think I’m going to be the winner. I like what I see. Jessamy will make me a good old lady and mother to my kids. Sharing my bed with her won’t be a hardship. I’ll take her.”
Blinding fury erupted inside of me. I swore I saw red as I tried to turn so I could lunge over the chair to grab Hulk. I was stopped. Hands gripped me hard and forced me into my chair. Hulk stood back, so it was left to Knight, Twisted, and Agony. Even so, it was hard for them to control me. I almost got loose twice.
“Son of a bitch, he’s strong. Fuck, he’s got it. There’s no doubt,” Knight grunted.
“No shit,” Twisted muttered.
Agony just chuckled.
I didn’t see anything to joke about. There was no way Hulk or anyone else would take Jessamy as their old lady, give her children, or share her bed other than me. Assuming she forgave and wanted me. My anger melted away, and I was anxious to talk to her and ask her for forgiveness. I wasn’t willing to admit I saw her as more than a possible bedmate, but their words swirled in my brain. Were they right? Did I want her for more? If I did, how could one look trigger this? God, I had major shit to think about, but it could wait until after I spoke to Jessamy.