Chapter 7
CHAPTER SEVEN
AVERY
I'm sitting in the chair, getting my hair blow dried when my phone vibrates in my pocket. I don't have to check, since Sadie's the only one who has this number. I motion to Everly, my stylist, to give me a minute. She turns the dryer off and gives me a look that says I better be quick. The waiting area is starting to get busy.
“I'll be just a second. Promise.” Everly steps back to let another customer know she'll be five more minutes with me as I answer my phone, foregoing all pleasantries. “Where the hell are you?”
“We’re on our way.”
“We?”
“Yeah, Skyler’s coming along with me and we're headed to get you. Now, where the hell are you? Are you safe?” She tosses back. There’s an edge to her voice.
“I told you, I'm at Just Off the Top getting my hair done. I should be finished in a few minutes.” The laughter inside me finally breaks loose when Sadie yells into the phone loud enough the person in the chair next to me gives me a look. I can't tell if she's annoyed or intrigued. Maybe a little of both.
Sadie squeals, “What did you do? You know what, don't tell me. I thought you would chicken out. Oh my God, I can’t wait to see what you did. I’m on my way.” She barely gets the last word out before she hangs up.
Everly returns to finish blow drying my hair, then suffocates me with a cloud of strong-smelling hair spray. It's a pungent mix of citrus and alcohol. I'm almost tempted to ask which cocktail she used to come up with it but decide upsetting the woman with sharp tools and hot instruments this close to my head is not in my best interest. Besides, I'm too excited about the new look she's given me and how amazing I feel in my own skin right now to be rude. I owe her a debt of gratitude, or at least a good tip.
“It smells stronger than it is. It’s not heavy at all don’t worry,” she says as if reading my mind.
She turns me to face the mirror, and my emotions well up in my throat. My long, almost to my ass, blonde hair, is now cut to my shoulders and woven with caramel and dark brown low lights. It's amazing how different I look. She cut the edges to shape my face and gave me layers to give it more body. My natural waves bounce freely now without all the extra weight from the length I once I had.
Don't cry.
I have to remind myself I'm in public. If I cry, Everly might think I hate it. When nothing could be further from the truth.
Not long after being hung up on, I'm assaulted by an overly excited, squealing woman. “Oh my God, look at you! Damn, you look gorgeous,” Sadie gushes while simultaneously attacking me with a hug and running her fingers through my newly colored and cut hair.
“Hey. Hey. Hey. Don’t touch,” Everly scolds. “Sadie Jay, I’m not playing with you!”
“I needed a makeover, right? You were busy with your uncle, and I thought, you know, I’m here.” I shrug, feeling self-conscious as I notice everyone is staring at me.
I’m feeling a bit nervous. I’ve never done anything like this for myself before. I’ve always accepted whatever was pre-planned for my appearance. My grandmother never let me have any say. Now, making the choice for myself seems like a huge decision.
Sadie is still stunned speechless, so I fill the silence with more explanations. “I was walking around in a few of the shops and happened upon this place. I figured why not get this out of the way. So, I did.” I can't help the smile creeping up my cheeks. I feel beautiful and not because someone caked my face with make-up or made sure every strand was curled and lacquered to perfection. I feel beautiful just being me. No gimmicks. No fake persona. Just Avery.
“Well, I say we need to get her to the mall and find the perfect wardrobe to match this beautiful new look. Sadie?” Skyler says sweetly.
“I couldn’t agree more,” Everly adds. She’s a little timid, but she lights up when she hears Skyler gushing over her work.
I quickly pay Everly with cash, tipping her double the price of her services. She blinks at me, shaking her head, offering to give it back, but I refuse. “You earned every penny for making me feel the way I do right how. Please, take it. It’s my gift to you.” She nods, then gives me a hug. Now she's the one with tears in her eyes.
“Everly, you truly did an amazing job. Take the tip. Go buy Kaylie something fun to play with,” Skyler urges. “Kaylie is the cutest little girl you'll ever see.”
“Oh, the little girl in the pictures on your station. Yes, please, take it and go buy your daughter something nice.” Sadie and Skyler share a look. When my brow creases, they look at Everly, who's smiling sadly at me.
“It's okay. She doesn’t know. Kaylie is my sister. I’ve been taking care of her since my mama died.” She says, taking a deep breath. “We’re all each other has.”
“Oh, I see.” I stumble to find the right words. “My mother passed when I was young. I-I was adopted by family too. So, I understand.”
“Um,” Sadie says, grabbing my arm and ushering me swiftly toward the door. “We should really get going. We've got a big night planned and still need to get to the mall to pick our outfits.”
“Bye! Thank you!” I shout as I'm thrust into Sadie’s car.
“What were you thinking?” She shouts.
“What?”
“Your mom passed away? You were adopted by family too? What are you doing, Avery? You can’t say shit about yourself to people. Especially not the truth!” Sadie's shouting over the music, driving the car like she fucking stole it. “Ave's, no one can know anything about you. Nothing. It will only take one slip up for Mack to figure out you're here. People talk. They don’t think about who’s listening and I can't promise he won't try to take you back if he finds you here.” She stops talking, groaning while rubbing her temples.
“I’m not going back.” I drop back against the seat, crossing my arms over my chest as I stare out the window. Yes, I'm acting like a petulant child but so what, I'm not leaving. I'm an adult. Eighteen. No one can tell me what to do. Very adult of you.
“Whoa! Hold on a minute.” Skyler pipes up from her spot in the backseat. “First of all, Sadie, slow your ass down before I throw up all over Loretta’s back seat.” The car slows down gradually. “Second, who are you? And why are you hiding from Mack?” Skyler swings her head back to Sadie, giving Sadie’s ponytail a tug. “And what kind of trouble have you gotten yourself, and now me, into because I got in the damn car to help you when the guys were being hypocritical assholes to you at the clubhouse?”
Sadie is scanning her mirrors, her gaze locking on Skyler’s pissed off one in the rearview. I twist in my seat and wait for a sign from Sadie to know what I should say. What’s safe to say?
“Shit.” Sadie mumbles. “This is Avery. She’s from Baron’s Edge. She was in an abusive situation and I helped get her out.”
Skyler waits patiently for Sadie to explain further. When she doesn’t, Skyler looks to me for answers. I don’t want to lie to her after she’s been so nice to me, but I also don’t know what’s safe for her to know. Anyone who’s found helping me could find themselves in danger if my grandmother catches me.
Deciding I need to tell her something, and not wanting Sadie to take all the heat for what we’ve done, I fill in the gaps where I can.
“I lived with my grandparents in Baron’s Edge. Me and Sadie, we went to the same school and became best friends our freshman year. She helped me get out of a shitty situation and brought me to Oak Ridge to start a new life for myself.” Skyler’s eyes narrow, but she remains silent, and I continue explaining. “I can’t go into specifics. It’s not safe. What I can tell you is I wasn’t about to stay in that house any longer than I had to, and when Sadie found out I needed help to get away, she brought me here.”
“How does Mack fit into all of this?” I’m about to answer her question when Sadie grabs my hand, giving me a subtle shake of her head.
“You know as well as I do, Sky—if any of the guys figure out I helped her sneak out of her house and run away, I’ll never get my freedom.” Sadie’s eyes are pleading as she holds Skyler’s eyes in the mirror. We quickly pull into the mall parking lot and Sadie grabs the first available parking spot and shuts off the car. Spinning to face Skyler, she says, “They have Hawk tracking everything I do. He’s in my phone, my car, even my home security system. If they knew I could bypass all their tricks to keep me under their thumb, I’d be placed on lockdown in the clubhouse until I turned thirty!”
Something resembling sympathy crosses Skyler’s face. She drops her head in her hands and rubs them back into her hair.
“All right. I see your point. But Sadie, when they find out, and you know they will …” Skyler looks between the two of us, “You’re both fucked! I won’t snitch on you and if anyone asks, I won’t tell anyone who you are, but you owe me big time for this!”
We both let out a long sigh of relief and move to open the car doors. Skyler emerges from the back, still glaring at both of us.
“Come on. Let’s get you into the mall and figure out what clothes go with the new ‵do.” Sadie says. Her mood swings are so crazy sometimes I can’t keep up.
On the way in, we come across a beautiful 1965 Ford Mustang GT-350 with a stunning young woman leaning against the door.
“Hey, Jayde!” Sadie calls out. The young woman smiles widely.
“Now I know I’m in trouble.” Skyler grumbles. “Both of you girls and a fugitive? My day keeps getting better and better.”
“Fugitive?” The woman named Jayde asks, looking puzzled. Sadie waves her off. “Skyler’s being dramatic.”
“Is this yours?” Almost squealing, I rush over to get a better look at the car.
“You like my baby?” Jayde asks. She’s slightly shorter than me, curvy, with long deep burgundy hair. Streaks of blonde high lights cascade down her back, her blue eyes are striking. She’s beaming with pride, talking about her car, as she should be. It’s dark purple with two gold racing stripes running down the center. It’s made to stand out and draw attention. This is a beautiful car, and the color looks like it fits the owner perfectly.
“Aves, this is Jayde. She's going to help us with your makeover.”
“Daddy wanted me to learn on a stick shift. I didn’t care as long as I got it in my color, and it rumbled when it started. It’s not a Harley, but it’s loud like one,” Jayde says smiling.“Close enough.”
“I couldn’t agree more. If it has a loud rumble, beautiful body, and moves fast, I’m all over it.” Sadie laughs at me, nodding her agreement with my admission.
“Who knew Mack had such great taste in cars, right?” Skyler calls out. I pause, feeling my face pale, not sure if I heard her correctly.
“Mack?” My head snaps in their direction. “Mack is your dad?”
What the hell was Sadie thinking bringing me to a town where the one person who could blow this entire plan to shit obviously lives and has family?
I know Sadie said she had a home and family here, but it never occurred to me we would be among people who personally know my grandfather’s bodyguard. The same bodyguard who will be on a mission to find me by now.
“Yeah, he and my brother, Jake, like their bikes and cars like their women—fast and beautiful. But don’t tell my mama I said that.”She smiles widely. “You look like you’re having a moment over there.”
Jake? The same Jake I kissed and ditched earlier? I feel heat creeping up my neck and face.
“You all right?” Jayde asks, laughing at my glowing complexion. I’m thankful she’s ignorant of the fact it’s her brother and not her car that has me so flushed.
To deviate the attention from my glowing cheeks, I return her attention to the car. “I’m definitely having a moment, and I’m shocked you don’t have the same feeling every time you drive it. I mean, do you have any idea what you have here? Is it a 289?”
“A what? You’re speaking axle grease and motor oil to a shopping and makeover kind of girl. I don’t know anything about this car except how to put gas in it and look cute driving it,” she answers, still amused at my drooling over her baby, but she has no idea what a dream this car is.
Sadie laughs from behind me. “She’s not kidding. Jayde knows nothing about cars. She loves numbers and girly things.”
“Hey! My love for those girly things is why you asked me to help. Don’t forget that.” Jayde snaps back.
“Where I'm from, this car is the stuff guys cream themselves over. Hot girls and hot cars.Of course, they wouldn’t know what to do with a car like this or a girl like you,” I laugh. “It’s not a dig, it’s the truth. They don’t know how to handle girls who speak their mind. They assume we’re all supposed to look pretty and not think. Those boys know nothing beyond the sticker price when it comes to cars, or women for that matter. If it’s fast, easy, and purrs—they’ll take it,” I joke.
“Ha! Good luck getting any kind of action in this car. She’s beautiful, she growls, and she moves with quickness, but she’s not equipped for foreplay or fornication. She’s too tight of a fit.”
“That’s what he said.” Sadie jokes.
“Not to mention, she’s the daughter of the Kings of Fury’s Enforcer, the sister of their Sergeant of Arms, and under the constant watchful protection of each and every club member.” Skyler laughs. “If the size of this car doesn’t detour a guy, the size of those men will. Believe me, they come with an intimidating look and the muscle to back it up.”
“Wait,” I point at Jayde as the realization hits. “The Kings of Fury is …?”
“It’s the motorcycle club.” Jayde says. It makes sense. I mean, of course it does. The leather cuts. The motorcycles I saw parked at Magpie’s. I don’t know why I didn’t put two and two together.
Because you were too busy freaking out about your game of tonsil hockey with Jake.
Jayde’s voice cuts through my muddled thoughts. “It’s really more like a brotherhood of?—”
“Neanderthals who think they know what’s best for everybody and have the right to stick their noses in other people’s business.”
Skyler throws her head back in laughter.
“I was going to say they’re like a big family, but Sadie’s description is pretty spot on too.”
“And Mack, he’s part of the motorcycle gang?” I’m absolutely dumbfounded.
“It’s a club, not a gang. He’s the Enforcer, but since he works so far away from home, Declan is also an Enforcer. I’m sure it will all change once Daddy retires, though.”
I look to Sadie for interpretation, as I am completely and utterly confused right now. Mack rides a motorcycle? Suit wearing, rule following, always takes things too seriously, Mack? I’m having a hard time picturing this. I wonder why she never told me about the motorcycle club or the real story about her family?
Sadie sighs, clearly not thrilled to have to share about the club. “Jayde’s like my cousin. We grew up together in the same house. Her dad is Mack, who you already know is not really my uncle. Mack is close friends with Gabe, who really is my uncle. My dad was Gabe’s brother, my mom’s best friend is Jayde’s mom, Lisa. It’s all a long story, and I don’t want to get into it, so can we go shopping now?”
I’m nervous, looking to Sadie, not sure what’s going on or if I should say anything. I know Sadie believes in deniable plausibility, but Mack’s daughter could rat me out. I mean, he’s her father. And he’s in a motorcycle club. What the fuck was Sadie thinking bringing me here?
If he finds out they’re helping me, he’ll have no choice but to send me back and we’ll all be screwed. Skyler must recognize my internal struggle because she places her hand on my shoulder, asking if I’m okay. I put on a fake smile, trying to reassure her I’m fine even though I’m anything but.
Skyler places her arm around my shoulder and begins walking with me toward the mall entrance, talking quietly so only I can hear. “I can see you’re freaking out. I can’t say I wouldn’t be if I were in your shoes. There are a few things I think you should know that might help you relax a bit.” She gives my shoulder a squeeze, making sure I’m listening. I give a slight nod, though I’m still actively working to keep my anxiety in check.
“The men Sadie and Jayde are talking about are not like the gangs you hear about on the news. They don’t go around shooting people for no reason or robbing people for no reason. The MC is a brotherhood of men who, though archaic and yes, somewhat Neanderthal-like in their beliefs—they’re good men. They don’t always operate on the right side of the law, but they don’t hurt people who don’t deserve it, and they never hurt the innocent. It’s in their DNA to protect those who can’t protect themselves. Which is why they come off as intrusive, nosy ass, overprotective cavemen. But you’ll get used to it.”
Sadie sidles up beside us as we open the doors and enter the mall. “Skyler and Jayde both promised to keep anything about you to themselves. No one here is going to out you to Mack. Although, I wouldn’t doubt he’ll figure it out eventually. But you let me worry about it. I’m sure I can keep him running in circles for a little while. At least until we have another plan in place. But as for Jayde and Skyler, your secrets are safe.” I nod, making eye contact with Jayde, who’s bouncing on her heels, smiling at me.
“What’s wrong? You look like you’re freaking out over there,” Sadie asks. I’m sure she’s seeing my pale face. I felt the color drain when the black SUV pulled close to where we parked, and a man wearing the same black cuts as Jake and Hawk stepped out.
“There's a black SUV over there. I swear it’s been following us,” I say as calmly as I can. Sadie was right. I'm freaking the hell out.
“Shit.” Sadie says with a huff. “It’s no one to be worried about. He’s a prospect from the club. My chaperone for the day it seems.” Sadie doesn’t seem pleased, but she’s not making a big deal out of the guy either. Why? “He’s my new ass-sessory compliments of one Gabriel fucking Jenkins. Prick.” Sadie laughs softly to herself, and Jayde gives her a side-eyed glare.
“What did you do?”
“Basically, I gave the club a big middle finger when I left Loretta with them and ditched my phone so I couldn’t be tracked.” She shrugs. “You know how they are about their stalker tendencies.”
“Well, shit, Sadie. You threw down the damn gauntlet!” Jayde laughs.
“You know how Daddy feels about being able to keep tabs on our whereabouts. It’s his way of keeping us safe. What the hell did you think they would do?” Jayde says, still clearly amused with Sadie’s antics.
“I don’t care. Wanting to keep me safe does not give them the right to invade my privacy! Hawk has my house alarm set to send him text alerts whenever I come and go from my home. He checks on me using the cameras, then texts me to see what I’m doing on my computer, or worse, to tell me what I need to be doing instead. He’s obnoxious and needs to be knocked down a peg. He takes his savior to Sadie role too seriously, and it needs to stop.”
Sadie seems genuinely pissed, but more than that, I think she’s hurt by his lack of faith in her. But if I’m honest, I’m not helping the situation. Once he finds out exactly how Sadie helped me escape West Manor, whatever small bit of trust or faith he had in her will be obliterated.
“What did you do to get on the club’s radar?” Jayde asks. “Did you change someone’s transcripts again?” Jayde asks disapprovingly.
“No. Smartass . ” Sadie sasses. “They weren’t upset about anything I’ve done. Okay. They were pissed about the whole not being able to track me or spy on me thing, but that’s not the real reason Gabe and Mack are so pissed. They didn’t tell me any different, but Gabe called church this morning. They don’t have church in the middle of the day unless there’s an issue.”
I point behind us and ask, “So, who is he again?”
“He’s a nobody.” Jayde supplies, not sounding the least bit impressed with him. “Just a prospect trying to earn his patch.” She slides her sunglasses down just enough to allow me to see her eyes roll. Whoever he is, I don’t think she likes him much.
“What’s a prospect? I mean, what does he do?”
“A prospect is a mindless slave.” Jayde tells me, chuckling. “He’s the grunt of the club. He waits on the other brothers hand and foot, if they ask. They do all the dirty jobs like cleaning up after parties, or mishaps that happen from time to time.” She gives Sadie a side glance. Sadie’s eyes widen as if to say shut the hell up. I want to question them about it further, but decide it’s probably best if I don’t.
Sadie tries to appease my curiosity by explaining, “Blake is a prospect for the Kings. He wants to become a member. In order to do that, he has to first earn his patch. To do that, he has to follow orders given to him by the President or other club members to the letter. No matter what they ask of him, he can’t question it. He just must obey. Apparently, I’m his newest assignment.” Sadie huffs.
“He’s here because Gabe, the President, ordered him to be wherever Sadie is.” Skyler explains. “Because apparently Sadie pissed off her uncles, and this is her penance.”
We make our way into the mall and immediately sigh when the gust of cold air hits us. I take my hoodie off, wrapping it around my waist. Jayde gasps. I completely forgot about the purple marks on my upper arm.
Shit.
“What the hell happened?” Jayde whispers, inches from my face. Sadie’s eyes grow wide and full of anger. I wince at the pain I see in her glare. I couldn’t tell you. As I stare back at her, I hope she can see the words I'm thinking.
Deciding I need to give some explanation quick before Sadie loses her shit, I tell them a slight variation of the truth. “I refused a proposal from a certain male, and when I didn’t give the right answer, things got a little heated.” Jayde’s hands shake with rage as she holds me by my shoulders. I’m not sure if she’s trying to comfort me or herself. “I’m okay, really. He didn’t hurt me.” I lie. “I left before he could hurt me anymore.” She breathes in deeply, her eyes never leaving mine as if she’s processing the words that I’ve spoken.
“You sure he can’t hurt you anymore?” Skyler asks, her voice low and full of menace. She’s eyeing me suspiciously, but there’s something else I see behind her eyes … is it pity? Empathy? I’m uncertain, but I don’t want to discuss my past in the middle of the mall.
“I’m sure.” I say with conviction. “I’m never going back there.”
“I don’t mean to be a bitch or anything, but people are starting to stare. Since we have the leather-clad babysitters watching our every move and reporting back to whoever, I think we should move things along.” Jayde tilts her head subtly toward the sexy man in a club cut and aviator glasses, who’s been perched in the corner by the door, intensely watching our whispered exchange.
“Shit,” I grumble. “Yeah, let’s go.”
“Relax.” Sadie says with a smirk. “They probably think we’re plotting our escape.” Jayde laughs.
“Not yet.” She turns to me. “But I’ve got ten bucks that says Sadie finds a way to lose them by the time we get to the dance club tonight.”
We all laugh, because it’s probably true.
Sadie wraps her arm around my shoulder as we walk. Leaning her head close to my ear, she whispers, “They’ll never hurt you again. You have my word.” I glance at her, but don’t say anything.
Skyler crowds closer on the opposite side and says, “You’re in the King’s territory now. They don’t go for that shit.” I nod at her words, not knowing how I should respond. The Kings have nothing to do with me. They’re here to protect Sadie and Jayde. I’m only safe because I’m with them.