Chapter One
Wolf (Onyx)
M y bounty hunting business is on the other side of town. I try not to bring clients to the clubhouse, but I will bring my paperwork here. I don’t like taking cases while working for the Jesters, but sometimes it happens. I’m known in this town as a bounty hunter and part of the MC, so they can find me in either place.
I’m sitting in my office at the clubhouse reviewing the file for our recent intake, Janelle Pierce and her three children. The file shows her now ex-husband has a real temper, and from the medical records, he likes to take it out on his family. My blood boils with hatred for people like this, and I’ll never understand how someone can hurt those they claim to love. It makes me feel stabby. The Wild Jesters never turn away a person or their kids fleeing from an abusive situation, and we have to keep her safe, so we accept the case.
The first thing I do with each case is assess the danger and take stock of their current situation. Most of the time, the abuse is an isolated incident, like a one-time deal and the person leaves so they don’t need our help but in Janelle’s case, it’s every day and didn’t stop with just her. The reports show the dickhead also hit his three kids. When kids are part of the abuse, it’s even harder. Jack Pierce, Janelle’s ex-husband, hates it when someone takes control from him, and he is not one who likes losing his possessions which means his wife and children.
Doing the job right means going on the road and staying one step ahead of Jack. We travel up and down the Midwest while Jack changes his locations constantly keeping us on a wild goose chase. Coward. I know the danger isn’t over, and with his network of friends, family, and business connections, the threats still exist. From the accounts of the nurses the night Janelle finally made the decision to leave, Jack is threatening hell on anyone keeping his family from him. Using my contacts, I found some information on who's pulling the strings—Jack’s daddy is a powerful politician in Indiana. It’s essential to know this to find/figure out the right tactics to use to protect Janelle and her children. It also gives us greater insight into the case, which is helpful regarding court proceedings.
Next, I set out to establish a spot in our safe house for Janelle and her children to stay. Money isn’t an issue. The Wild Jesters own safe houses and cover all expenses for anyone while they stay with us. We do a lot of fundraisers throughout the year to help us, plus our businesses, such as the strip clubs and dispensaries we own, pay for all of this.
Even though Janelle is terrified, she has an exceptional quality—a fire within her—that makes her brave and determination to do what is required of her to provide safety and security for her children. I hear a tap on the door.
“Wolf, you in there?” I hear our VP call out.
“Yeah, Mouthpiece, come in.” I close the file, and as he opens the door, I motion for him to sit.
“What can I help you with, VP?”
He takes a seat, looking at me for answers.
“I need you to do something for me. We got a call from an old friend of ours, the district attorney, and I need you to investigate a case he has. This person knows Jack’s dad and knows some of the men who may be hiding Jack. Can you check it out and see if there is some connection between the cases?”
Mouthpiece is always looking for ways to improve the justice system.
“I got this. He’s off the grid for now, but I have a few moves left to get him to show himself. Until then, Janelle and her kids are safe,” I reply, and he taps his knuckles on my desk in acknowledgment. I have to do something more than be a bounty hunter. I need to be the voice, the help, and sometimes the justice. I have to fight for what is right; this case is my next mission. I’m sure what I will find, but it’s exciting to put the puzzle pieces together.
Mouthpiece claps his hands, “That’s what I like to hear. Good job. Keep me posted on what’s new,” he says, standing up.
I nod. “Will do. Anything else?”
Mouthpiece takes one last look at me. “Nah, you got it handled. Carry on.”
He walks through the door whistling some tune which brings a smile to my face, and look over the case file from the district attorney. This is what I was born to do—catch the bad people and help people feel like they’re getting justice, no matter what the cost. I have to do some digging to find out who was really behind the reasons Janelle and her family are in danger because we know it’s just not Jack and his father and put an end to this once and for all. Because this is what Wolf does…she protects.