7. Chapter 7
Chapter 7
My anger remained intact as the night continued. Every cut on Jemma’s pretty face was a mark against Jackson’s so-called father. Mitch didn’t deserve this family. He hadn’t earned their loyalty, yet by not calling the cops they’d protected his sorry ass.
Jemma had woken up multiple times, fear, anger, and worry striking her as she processed what she and her son had just gone through.
As Jemma had continued talking, unable to stop her rambling due to the stressful circumstances, she had accidently revealed some things that had me believing Mitch was deep into a world he couldn’t get out of without paying with his life. I smelled a rat, a really big one, most likely the mafia.
The fool had brought danger to Jemma’s door, and he didn’t even give a damn. I could only hope that he was too small a fish in a damn big ocean for the mafia bosses to bother with his ex-wife and a son he cared far too little about.
Jemma had reluctantly gone back to bed and left me to watch over her and Jackson. I’d found some plywood in the garage and nailed it up to cover the gaping hole where the door had once stood. The door was trash, bent in the middle and splintered, so there was no repairing it. Jemma and Jackson would be forced to use the back door until the front one was replaced.
I checked in on them both and was satisfied to see them sleeping, so I tried to lay down on the sofa. That was an effort in futility and laughable. My height meant my knees were bent over the armrest letting my feet dangle uncomfortably. I sat up, pushed the coffee table far enough away so that my feet could be supported on it, crossed my arms over my chest, leaned my head back, and dozed as much as I could until sunlight and the scent of coffee woke me.
I groaned out loud as I lifted my feet from the table. Every muscle in my legs ached from being stretched over empty space. I stared bleary eyed at Jemma as she poured a large mug full of the heavenly-smelling coffee. The tiny cuts on her face didn’t change the fact that she was beautiful or that I had a morning hard-on that grew heavier as she bent to take something out of the oven, showing me her round ass.
To make things worse, Jackson came running from his room and leaped onto the sofa, jostling all my sensitive spots, including my blood-filled cock. My second groan was much louder, gaining me Jemma’s full attention.
“Good, you’re awake. I apologize for forgetting you’re much too tall for the sofa. I should have found a better way to accommodate you. I suppose you could have had my bed,” she said.
My cock throbbed at her words. My brain refused to understand that she meant I’d have the bed while she slept somewhere else. It just gave me a picture of the two of us screwing like rabbits. My face must have reflected my thoughts because she instantly corrected her statement.
“I mean I should have taken the couch and given you the bed,” she stated with a blush.
“I was here to stand guard. That would have been impossible from the bedroom. I’m okay, but I could use some of that coffee if it’s being offered.”
“Oh, right! I was pouring this for you,” she replied as she held up the steaming mug. “What do you take in it?”
“Just black, thanks.”
“I made biscuits and eggs. Do you want some?” she asked, coming closer to hand over the mug.
“No. I’ve got to get on the phone and see where I can get you a door,” I answered, knowing if I stayed for breakfast, it would feel too much like I belonged. That was a dream I couldn’t allow to take root.
“I’ve already done that,” she said. “I called work and told them I had a break-in and I needed to stay home today. The repairman said he’d be here at 10:00 with a new door and stronger locks. I’m taking Jackson to school, so you’re off duty.”
“What if your ex comes back?”
“He won’t. At this hour of the day, he’d be conked out somewhere, sleeping after he came off his high. Cowards don’t attack in daylight.”
“The ones after him aren’t cowards,” I argued.
“No, but they want him for now. Not me. You can go.”
I wanted to keep fighting her. I was worried that Mitch was in over his head, and she was taking all this too lightly. But my phone buzzed with a message from Prime that I couldn’t ignore.
Come to church, it demanded. It was a summons to a meeting I had to attend. Being called to church meant there was trouble brewing in larger amounts than what Mitch could bring.
I set the mug on the bar and nodded. “Fine. I have to go anyway. But if you need me, I’ll be here. Call anytime.”
“I think you mean that,” Jemma answered.
“I always mean what I say.”
I left through the back door, but I sensed I’d be back sooner than later. Trouble was coming at Jemma’s and at HQ. I could feel it in my gut.
The loud roar of my bike brought the neighborhood’s attention to me. Most jumped into their cars as fast as possible and zoomed away to their boring, safe jobs. But one man seemed to freeze in horror once he saw me. He was about fifty and as conservative as it was possible to be in his suit and tie.
I thought about baring my teeth and growling just to have a little fun, but then I noticed his wife. There was no fear or revulsion in her eyes. Instead, she grinned and winked at me. She quickly flashed her left wrist, exposing a tat of a skull with a snake crawling out of its mouth. I returned the grin with a feral one of my own which frightened the man enough to get him moving.
“Get in the car!” he hissed at his wife.
She started laughing and blew me a kiss before joining her husband in the car. It made my day. I was laughing too as I rode away.
I was the last one to arrive for the meeting. Prime raised an eyebrow in question, but I waved him off. We could talk later.
“Now that we’re all finally here we can get down to the important matters,” he stated, staring directly at me. I knew his anger would die away once I explained about Jemma and Jackson, so I didn’t let it rile me.
“The Cartel has a new capo. His surname is Aguilar. The name is one that we’ve heard before. It’s the family name of a particularly cruel family line,” Prime began.
“That’s old new,s Boss,” Rage, our road captain spoke out of turn.
Prime scowled at him, effectively shutting him down. “He may have replaced his predecessor six months ago, but he’s been inactive and silent until now. I assume he’s been establishing his power during that time, removing anyone who won’t show him loyalty, and rearranging the businesses to suit him. However, his underboss has suddenly been noticed near our territory more than once. That means the reprieve we’ve had is over.”
“What about the alliance we had with old Perez? Isn’t it still in effect?” Specs, our secretary inquired.
“That’s the problem. We don’t know. It’s possible he’ll honor it, although it was always a reluctant alliance at best. Or he may consider it void now that he’s in power. We can’t rely on what used to be. Everything is subject to change, especially deals made with criminals.”
I shoved my hands in my pockets, knowing he was right. Even treaties between MCs were tumultuous. We had been damn lucky to have peace with the Cartel as long as we did. I knew this day was coming, but knowing Jackson and Jemma were right in the middle of our territory and already having problems just shaded the news worse for me.
Prez continued, “The point is, if Aguilar decides we’re the enemy then we need to watch our backs and those of our associates. His ancestors were deadly. He may be less lethal, but we can’t and won’t count on that. A war may be coming. Our territory will be challenged, and we’ll have to defend it with our lives. I just want you to be prepared.”
The murmuring began the instant Prime stopped speaking. Anger mixed with a small amount of fear could be heard among my associates, especially the greens. Some appeared to welcome war while others preferred the peace we’d had for so long.
Blood and death weren’t my favorite things, but I’d handle whatever arose. It was my job.
Prime motioned me over for a private conversation. “Your job is more important than ever. I don’t know what’s happening in your private life, but divided loyalties cause deaths. I need you focused on sightings of Aguilar, his underboss, or unfamiliar faces. They may already have begun attempting to take over our drug territory.”
I nodded. My loyalties began and ended with the Serpent Sinners. Yet, I wouldn’t forsake Jackson and Jemma.
Especially with the things her ex was into. For all I knew The Cartel were the exact people he was mixed up with.
“With all due respect, boss, I swear I’ll take good care of our MC, but I can’t ignore my private life either. I have a gut feeling that they may be tied together because of one really big fool. You know who Jackson is, right?” I asked.
“I know everything about my men, Sweet, including who they give a damn about.”
I sighed. Prime was giving me a damn hard tome because he had to. I could see the way his veins strained against his forehead. The stress was getting to him. It was serious this time. We’d end up with a war, no doubt.
“Well, last night his father, the scum of the earth, broke into his house and hurt his mother. He was demanding money. He swore he’d be killed if he didn’t pay it to someone. He didn’t tell them who he meant, but from the way Jemma explained things I have a feeling he’s involved with Aguilar’s organization. He’s a little piece of shit in a big pile, yet he’s gotten noticed by the big man somehow. I can’t just push them aside,” I explained.
“I see. That changes things. Consider them under our protection at this time, just don’t tell them,” Prime ordered. “They could let it slip out if they’re threatened.”
I wiped the sweat off my brow. Challenging the Prez wasn’t for the weak.
My phone buzzed, and my heart sped up when I saw that it was Jackson. He was supposed to be in school. Fear for his safety made my voice gruff when I answered.
“Jackson, is he back?” I tersely asked.
“No, I don’t think so. I’m at school,” he whispered. “I snuck my phone into the bathroom. I have to ask you a question where no one can hear me.”
“You’re gonna get caught, kid,” I warned.
“I don’t care. I have to know.” There was a pause and the sound of water. Then, Jackson whispered even quieter so I had to strain to understand. “Will you teach me to fight? I have to protect my mom.”
I shook my head. This kid was something else and would make a hell of a man one day.
“It’s not your job to protect your mom. You’re just a kid. Besides, she’s barely okay with me remaining as your mentor. I can’t do anything without her permission. In fact, if she finds out you called from school she’s gonna freak,” I answered.
“I’m the only one around all the time. I can’t let my dad hurt her again. I need to know how to defend us. I have to be able to fight back. Please!”
I was a sucker when it came to the kid. He was right, I couldn’t leave him defenseless. I couldn’t leave Jemma defenseless either.
“Fine, but you have to talk to your mom about it. I won’t hide this from her. I’ll even teach her some moves so she can fight back. I just hope it never becomes necessary. Now, put the phone away and get back to your classroom,” I demanded.