Chapter One
Jinx
Six months later
IT’S TAKEN THE last six months to get the city of Pine View cleaned-up enough for crews to come in and start rebuilding.
Crews have been fixing the roads and sidewalks, the energy company has gotten the power restored and all the poles that were damaged in the storms fixed or replaced.
The main thing that needs to be finished now are the buildings that need to be repaired or built from the ground up again.
There are several construction crews in town working on the businesses and homes that were lost or damaged.
We’ve been helping where we can and the Wild Kings from Cedar Bay have been here on the weekends to help.
We’re all pulling together to ensure that the city is rebuilt and better than it was before.
Even if a lot of people have left the city, more will eventually move in and we want to ensure there are enough homes and jobs for them to find here.
We don’t want anyone here to start out homeless or without a job.
Vault has already informed us that we’ll do what we can to ensure everyone has a job if we can help them.
I can honestly say we were fucking lucky that the storm didn’t damage the compound at all.
It went right around our land and nothing of ours was touched.
We were able to use that shit to our advantage.
The ol’ ladies spent countless hours in the kitchen preparing food to feed as many people in town as they could.
They went out shopping for more groceries than I’ve ever seen one group of people buy in my life.
When they weren’t doing that, they were filling our new houses with furniture and making sure it was everything we wanted.
We allowed a few people who were homeless because of the storms to put up tents and stuff within the compound so they weren’t in the way of the work being done.
Our only rule was they had to help out daily and they all did.
The women who stayed took turns watching all the kids and helping the ol’ ladies while the men went out to clean-up the city.
We all worked together and didn’t exclude those who needed our help.
Our parents left after being here with us for a few weeks.
With the guys from the Wild Kings coming to help us out, we didn’t need them and they still have a club back home to run and worry about.
So, they went home and promised to come back if we needed them.
We were all sad to see them leave.
Hope didn’t deal with her family leaving at all.
She barely came out of her room for the first three days they were gone.
Savannah and Annabell were the only ones she’d talk to and Hope did watch the kids while they were busy doing things for the club and to help those in need.
I wanted to go to her and give her some comfort, but I denied myself from going to her.
My reason was that Morgan also needed help and the time I was at the clubhouse was barely longer than it took to get something to eat and grab a power nap or something a few hours longer.
So, Hope dealt with her feelings on her own and it’s gutted me every single day because we should’ve helped her and didn’t.
I know Kingston didn’t help his cousin out at all because he more than likely didn’t know what was going on with her.
Kingston isn’t the one to leave his family on their own when something is going on.
The Nomads who wanted to get back on the road left about two months ago.
We had a weekend-long party with our families here, the Nomad chapter members who were in Pine City showed up, and a few other clubs showed up as well.
Everyone was sad to see them leave, but we all knew they weren’t going to stick around once we moved down here.
They were holding our spots until we came of age to take over.
The ol’ ladies outdid themselves preparing for the party we had to send them on the next step in their journey.
For almost three days we ate, laughed, talked, and got drunk.
Our new Phantom girls provided entertainment and Vault brought in the girls from Enchantment to help with all the guys here.
I didn’t fuck any of them the entire weekend.
I was with my family, talking with Morgan, and hanging out with everyone like I should be.
Plus, I was too busy watching Hope as she moved around the backyard of the clubhouse and talked to everyone who came to show the Nomads support.
Morgan is the girl Killer and I saved.
She was examined by Doc and by some miracle didn’t sustain any horrendous wounds that would require her to go to the hospital.
Doc got her patched up here at the clubhouse and we let her stay for a few days to recover.
When she was well enough, Morgan talked to Vault, Devil, Kingston, and myself about staying here at the clubhouse.
She doesn’t want to be a Phantom girl, but said she would clean, cook, handle the bar, and do anything else we needed her to do.
Morgan is scared for her life and wants to be away from her ex-boyfriend and anywhere he might be able to find her.
We talked it over and agreed to let her stay on as a house mouse.
She can sleep with who she wants, but doesn’t need to fuck anyone here.
Her responsibility is the bar mainly so the Prospects can deal with other shit.
Since then, Morgan and I have gotten close and she always searches me out when she’s having a bad day.
I guess I do the same when things are rough and I need to just take a minute away from the world.
Kingston is the only other person I go to and he doesn’t really understand what I’m doing. I don’t either.
We have all new Prospects in the clubhouse.
They’re local guys who need a purpose in life and have started working in our businesses to earn the money they need to live.
All of them are young, hungry, and willing to put in the hard work and time it takes to earn their cut.
We honestly met most of them as they were going around town helping out where they could.
The one thing I can say about everyone here in Pine View is that they’re loyal to one another and take pride in the city they live in.
There wasn’t a single person here that didn’t help out in some way.
Even the smallest of children helped out by opening lemonade stands and handing out bottles of water to workers as they made their way up and down each street to make sure nothing was missed.
So far, the guys seem to be some of the best Prospects I’ve ever seen.
They take their job seriously and I can already tell that a few of them are gonna be patched in for sure.
These are the guys who anticipate the needs of others, step up no matter what they’re in the middle of, and are always ready to run out at the drop of a hat for us and the women in the clubhouse.
The Phantom girls are another story completely.
More than a few of them won’t be here long-term and I can’t wait until they’re fucking gone.
These girls feel as if we owe them for allowing them in our clubhouse.
They refuse to cook, clean, or do anything else.
Annabell and Vault have already talked to them a few times and they still refuse to do anything.
One in particular has me cringing every single time I walk in the clubhouse and see her.
Her name is Ice and she’s the biggest bitch I’ve ever met in my life.
Ice acts as if this clubhouse is hers and she makes the rules.
She bullies and manipulates the other girls to get them to do her bidding.
Vault and the rest of us are keeping an eye on her really close.
Miracle is scared of her and that girl isn’t afraid of anyone who isn’t a male.
If Savannah and Annabell find out Ice did something to Miracle, no one will ever find her fucking body after those two get done with her. Savannah doesn’t fuck around when it comes to her family and that’s not a joke.
Hope is working at the auto parts store, Phantom Auto.
She takes care of the office work and fills in at the counter when the guys are on a break, lunch, or out on a delivery.
The only reason I know she works there is because Vault put it up for a vote shortly after we got the store re-opened.
Hope has that place running like a well-oiled machine and the profits are up even higher than before with the new systems she’s implemented.
She’s gotten in touch with a local junkyard to help with parts they have a hard time locating and the suppliers of the parts we order were charging us more than other businesses they work with.
Hope went off on them and threatened legal action for ripping us off for so long.
It made them come down on their prices to what they should be and then even took an additional percentage off our orders for the money they’ve stolen from us.
Let’s just say that Vault and Valor had to be held back when they realized the thousands of dollars we were robbed of over the years of doing business with this company.
The only reason we’re still using them today is because of Hope.
She’s got them by the balls and they know it.
I’ve taken over The Den, the club’s bar on the outskirts of town.
In the last four months, I’ve re-opened the bar, hired all new staff, and implemented some changes to make business better.
Our profits are also up even higher than before.
Right now, I’m at the bar every single day we’re open and I’m always there early.
I’ve got two bartenders and a waitress.
I help out wherever I’m needed and Ezra does the same.
He’s a Prospect for the club and always arrives at The Den with me and never complains about his hours or anything.
The only time he doesn’t work is if he’s needed for club business or has a shift on the gate at the compound.
When the guys come in for a drink or to check in after work, they act as bouncers if I need the extra help.
So far I haven’t had to deal with any bullshit because most everyone knows if you fuck with the club, we’re gonna fuck with you back.
Even the drunk as fuck people who can’t help themselves don’t get in trouble with us.
It’s been pretty easy to deal with and I honestly love managing the bar and everything that entails.
Today is a day I’m trying to rest and relax at the clubhouse.
The Den isn’t open and we’ve been going nonstop since moving to Pine View.
I’m sitting at the bar in the clubhouse with King, Devil, Raptor, and Vault.
Morgan is serving drinks while also talking to us and cleaning.
Over the last six months, she’s really come out of her shell and doesn’t remain silent when we’re all here.
She talks and we’ve found that not only is she fucking smart as hell, but she’s funny too.
Some of the guys have asked me what’s going on between the two of us because we’re always together when we’re not busy.
None of them believe me that it’s nothing and that we’re only friends.
I guess I can’t blame them, but it’s the truth.
“Jinx, are you still gonna take me to the doctor tomorrow?”
Morgan asks me as I set down my beer in front of me.
“Yeah. It’s first thing in the mornin’, yeah?”
I return, sensing King watching me without having to turn and look at him.
“Yeah. I have to get my shot and yearly done. It shouldn’t take too long,”
she responds as the guys start laughing because it again points to something going on between the two of us.
“I’ll be up. I’m not goin’ back out today. But, I have to get to The Den early because we got a delivery comin’ in that I need to grab and check. The last one was short,”
I state, anger filling me because the supplier is full of shit saying they double and triple check our delivery before it leaves and it wasn’t short.
I personally check all deliveries and it was not short by a little.
There were fifteen cases of alcohol missing and the supplier refused to send me what was owed.
It wasn’t until I not only promised to terminate our contract, but to contact a lawyer and file a report against them causing them to lose business that they finally relented and sent over the missing cases.
I’m not a fucking liar and I know what I order every single time I place one.
I keep copies of everything so this shit doesn’t happen.
Vault was just as pissed when I brought it up in church and told me if it wasn’t taken care of to do what needed to be done.
If he calls the supplier, they’re going to cry like a little bitch. Vault can be an asshole when he needs to be one and it’s not pretty. I’m glad I’ve never been on that end of him.
“Morgan, how are you likin’ bein’ here in the clubhouse?”
Devil asks her as she stops moving around the bar to look at him.
“It’s better than being homeless and afraid my ex is gonna find me,”
she states, fear filling her eyes as she thinks of her ex.
None of us know what he did to her or what caused them to break up.
We’re not going to push her for information she doesn’t want to share with us just yet.
If it becomes a problem, we’ll deal with it at that time.
For now, Morgan is entitled to her secrets and dealing with her past the way she sees fit.
Since she’s been at the clubhouse, she hasn’t caused problems or gotten involved with the drama the Phantom girls seem to always want to stir up.
These girls are fucking worse than any I’ve seen so far and that’s saying something with all the clubs we grew up around.
Maybe they all need to meet Summer or one of her girls to find out how to act right.
Speaking of the Phantom girls, they walk into the common room led by Ice.
She stares at me as I turn my back on her and I can hear her heels clicking along the floor as she makes her way over to me.
It doesn’t take her long at all to get to my side and place her hand on my arm.
I shake it off quickly before glaring up at her.
“What the fuck do you want?”
I growl out, knowing I can’t be nice to her because she doesn’t understand that shit.
“Baby, you’re actually here at the clubhouse and I want to spend time with you,”
she says, her voice like nails on a chalkboard as I shiver from the sound of it and roll my eyes.
“Not your fuckin’ baby and we’ve never spent time together. It’s not gonna change now. I’m sure there’s somethin’ you can clean or do around here. Ya know, like you’re supposed to be doin’ on a daily basis and don’t,”
I state, anger filling me at the thought of her being a lazy bitch and making the ol’ ladies and Morgan do all the work when they’re here. “I think the toilets need to be scrubbed along with the rest of the bathrooms.”
Ice looks as if she’s going to be sick before plastering her fake as fuck smile back on her face like I’m joking.
“I don’t clean toilets. That’s disgusting,”
she states with wide eyes before turning to face Morgan. “You heard Jinx. Go clean the bathrooms. It’s not like you’re fucking any of the guys so you should do something you’re useful at.”
“Excuse me?”
Morgan questions, turning to face Ice as she sets down the towel she was using to dry the clean bar glasses.
“You heard me, Morgan. You don’t do a fucking thing around here. Get off your ass and go clean the bathrooms like Jinx said. I’m tired of you not listening to me. Either move your ass to clean or you can get the fuck out,”
Ice says as we all turn to face the bitch just as Annabell and Savannah make their way into the common room without their kids.
“I know I didn’t just hear you right,”
Annabell says, her voice louder than I’ve heard it before along with the edge letting us all know she’s fucking pissed.
“Ice, you aren’t fucking shit around here and don’t tell anyone else what the fuck to do.
I’m about done with your lazy ass and the fact that you do nothing around here.
You’ve been told more than once to get off your lazy fucking ass and clean. So, I suggest you do it before you get thrown out on the streets you came from.”
“You can’t do that. You’re not the President of this club,”
Ice states, not sensing the danger she’s putting herself in as Vault gets off his stool and makes his way over to his wife to wrap his arms around her and pull her body into his.
“Annabell is my fuckin’ queen and you were all told when you came in the door of this clubhouse that her word is fuckin’ law. My ol’ lady says you’re out, then you’re fuckin’ out. She tells you to clean, you fuckin’ clean. If she wants you to get off your lazy fuckin’ ass, then you get up. Annabell and Savannah outrank every single one of you followed by Hope. Morgan is also above all of you because she doesn’t spread her legs for every man in here and actually does what she’s supposed to do. None of them will do anythin’ you skanks should be doin’. If you choose not to clean, cook, or anythin’ else here in the clubhouse, you’re gone. You’ve all been warned more than once and this is the last fuckin’ straw. Finally, if you touch a man in this clubhouse without his permission, you will be gone. That shit is fuckin’ desperate and none of them want it. They’re more than outspoken enough to fuckin’ tell you when they want to fuck you or have you suck them off. You will never be an ol’ lady to any of these guys. Get it out of your fuckin’ head. Ice, go clean the fuckin’ bathrooms,”
Vault growls out, his body vibrating with the anger coursing through him as Ice turns and stares at him for several seconds.
“He’s not fucking kidding, Ice. Get in the fucking bathrooms and clean them. I will personally be checking them. If I find out the guys, Morgan, or anyone else did the work instead of you, you’ll be kicked out immediately. I’m done playing these fucking games with you all. I suggest to the rest of you that if you want to be here, don’t follow Ice’s lead and you’ll be just fine. She’s nothing but a fucking skank and will get your ass kicked out quicker than shit,”
Annabell says as Ice finally moves to do what she’s told with a loud as fuck shriek as she stomps in her heels away from all of us.
At the same time, the main door of the clubhouse opens and Hope storms inside.
She doesn’t look at any of us.
I can see the tears rolling down her face and every instinct I have is telling me to go to her and find out what’s wrong.
To beat any motherfucker who made her hurt or upset.
Instead, I remain sitting on my stool.
Just before Hope goes upstairs to her room, she turns to face the room and watches as Morgan places her hand on my arm to get my attention.
I watch on as Hope’s face falls with undeniable pain as more tears fall from her eyes.
My heart stalls in my chest as her blank mask falls back in place and she races up the stairs to her room.
I wait for the sound of her door to slam, but it never comes. Hope isn’t one to throw a tantrum for any reason and today is no different despite her being upset over something.
“The fuck you gonna do about that, Jinx?”
King questions me, his voice barely more than a growl as I turn to face my best friend and ignore Morgan.
“What are you talkin’ about?”
I return, not sure what he’s getting at despite knowing it involves his cousin.
“You think I didn’t see what just fuckin’ happened? My cousin turned to look at you, and only you. At the same time as Morgan put her hand on your arm in a way that suggests more than the friendship you claim to have with her. I’m not sure what the fuck is goin’ on with my cousin, but I will be figurin’ it out. I also saw the way your entire body tensed up. You were ready to fuckin’ go to her, but hold yourself back. Why? Is Hope not fuckin’ good enough for you? Are you more than fuckin’ friends with Morgan? Cause she’s the only one you spend any fuckin’ time with for the last six months. And you’re not one to go without sex. Never known you to go without bein’ attached to one girl or another,”
King states, his voice getting angrier with every word he speaks because this is about Hope and she’s his family. Our friendship means nothing up against that to him and I don’t blame him at all.
“Hope is more than good enough for me, King. She’s too fuckin’ good for me if we’re bein’ honest. I didn’t go to her because there’s no point in me goin’ to comfort her. If that’s what she wanted, she’d let me know. Hope isn’t fuckin’ shy and goes after what she wants. It’s the entire reason she’s here in Pine View with us. I’m not fuckin’ Morgan or anyone else. If I were, I don’t have to fuckin’ tell you everythin’ about my life, King. You might be my best friend, but you kept shit from me that I’d never keep from you. Important shit that comes from that fuckin’ day. I’ve been there for you through everythin’ and I didn’t know the biggest fear you have now. So, don’t come at me with this bullshit just because it’s about Hope,”
I state, anger filling me because King did blindside us with his bomb that he wasn’t gonna patch into the club with the rest of us.
“King, I promise you that I’m nothing more than friends with Jinx. He’s helped me through the shit with my ex and healing after the storms. If he wants Hope, or anyone else, I’m not gonna stand in the way of that,”
Morgan speaks up, her voice barely above a whisper as she stands in front of King who’s still seething with rage.
“You already are, Morgan. Every fuckin’ time Hope sees Jinx, you’re with him. Hangin’ off him or laughin’ with him. You two sit practically on top of one another. My cousin has been in love with this man since she learned what love is. She’s watched him go out with one girl after another and never givin’ her a second of his time. Now, for the last six months, she’s watched you take all his fuckin’ time. You’ve got him drivin’ you around, takin’ his time here, and everythin’ else. Yet you’re not fuckin’ him or wantin’ to fuck him. Not believin’ a single thing you got to say,”
King says, getting off his stool and heading out of the common room as everyone else stares at us.
I get off my own stool and head for my room.
I’ve got nothing to say to anyone here right now.
They all see the situation with Morgan as more than it is.
We are only friends.
Last I knew, it was okay for a guy and girl to be friends with one another without having sex and shit.
King is best friends with Zoey and no one questions the two of them.
I mean, I don’t act the same way with Morgan as he does with Zoey.
For now, I just need to be alone and stay away from everyone.
Anger fills me and I know Morgan is going to be upset and embarrassed with what just happened.
For the first time in six months, I’m not there for her.
She’s going to have to deal with this shit on her own so I can calm the fuck down after my best friend just chewed me a new ass for no reason.
My thoughts go to Hope and I wonder what the fuck is going on with her.
As I fall asleep, she’s the last image I have before my dreams fill with her and the future we could have if I stopped denying my feelings for her.