Astrid Chapter 12 #2
“No, I didn’t do that. It just slipped out. Go ahead, Jamie. Tell me.”
He wasn’t appeased based on his expression, but he started.
“I need to tell you some history first about the Punishers. This club was originally different from what it is now when Reaper was growing up in it. Not in the most important ways, such as not hurting innocent people and standing up for what’s right.
There was no forcing women to be prostitutes or to sell hard drugs.
However, the club was considered an outlaw, one-percenter club.
We sold marijuana, guns, and had our hands in illegal gambling and bodyguards for hire, to name several.
“However, when Reaper took over, he wanted to make us safer. His younger sister, Harper, was a key motivator for the change. The danger to us and our loved ones was much higher. Even if we didn’t dabble in the awful stuff, we were seen as a threat.
It took more than just saying we were stopping, and then the next day we were through. It took us years to fully transform.
“After we did, you’d think the risk, the danger, would go away entirely, but it doesn’t.
Sure, it reduces a lot, and we’re no longer waiting to be killed or to go to prison at the drop of a hat.
However, there are many horrible people in the world.
I mentioned some of them earlier. As a club, as individuals, we can’t allow that to continue when we’re aware of it and have the means to stop it.
The same mindset is what led us to connect with the other clubs and groups we’re friends with now. They feel the same way.
“We’ve been involved in liberating numerous people, mainly women, from horrible situations.
Similar to what you suffered and worse. When it happens, we don’t leave those kinds of monsters behind to crop up and ruin lives later.
They’re given a chance if deemed appropriate, such as going to prison rather than dying.
Several of the women involved have gone on to live happy lives, some even with our friends.
“I’m telling you this so you know, we don’t do it for financial gain or petty reasons.
We don’t arbitrarily decide to off someone.
When we do, it’s not done without hard evidence to convict them with.
Before you ask why we don’t let the law deal with them, I’ll tell you.
You see how many terrible people get away with things on technicalities.
Or they get sent to prison, but it’s for a very short while.
Others have the resources to continue their business while locked up.
If that’s the case, then those monsters can’t be allowed to go free.
If they do, they’ll continue to hurt people.
“As the club’s enforcer, I’m always involved in these cases. I’m not the one who is always terminating their existence. But I’m there. I have a hand in it. My hands aren’t clean of blood, and they never will be. I will do what I must to protect my club and the world around us.”
He stood to pace. “I should’ve shared this with you before you agreed to be my old lady. I see that now. The reason I didn’t is pure and simple. I was terrified that it would make you walk away from me. I love you, Astrid, and to live without you would be unbearable.”
He stopped five feet away. He had his back to the railing he was leaning against. His arms were folded across his chest. Mayhem watched me closely. He’d given me a crap load to take in. I needed to sort through it all before responding or making a decision. He’d hate it, but I had to ask.
“Jamie, you’ve laid a ton on me. I need some time to think through everything, and it has to be time alone.”
“Okay, I’ll go to the clubhouse so you have it.” He straightened from the rail.
I shook my head. “I think better when I’m in motion. Since I can’t fly, a car will have to do. I’m going for a drive. I’ll be back once I get my head on straight.”
“Astrid, please, don’t leave. I hate the idea of you out there alone and upset. It’s not safe,” he argued.
“It’s safer than my staying, feeling crowded, and making a wrong and hasty decision that affects us for the rest of our lives. Which do you want?”
He stared at me for several seconds before he gave in. “Okay, a drive it is, but I want you to text me every hour. I’m not trying to be controlling. I need to know that you’re okay. Will you do that?”
It wasn’t a big request, so I nodded. “Yes, I can do that. I need my purse.”
Mayhem followed me into the house. Once I had it, I faced him. “I’m ready. I’ll see you later.”
“Would it be too much to ask for a kiss before you go?” He seemed uncertain.
No matter how jumbled I was, I loved him, so my answer was easy.
“Yes, you may.”
I barely got the words out before Mayhem swooped in, took me in his arms, and kissed me passionately with an edge of panic. When he let me go, I was more than dazed.
“Please be careful, baby. I can’t live without you.” Those were his last words to me before I got in the car and drove off. I was shocked he didn’t follow me. It would’ve left me feeling hemmed in, so I guess he knew that.