Chapter Fourteen #2
“We give it to Lana. She can take it from there.” Mia clicked through more files. “And we prepare to testify. All of us. He can intimidate one woman. Maybe even two. But five? With evidence? Not even his money can make that go away.”
I backed away from the door, feeling like an intruder in a moment that wasn’t mine. But as I turned to leave, I caught the small smile forming on Jade’s lips. Not happy exactly. But I thought she might get there.
The afternoon dragged on after Ethan and Lana left.
Jade had retreated into herself after her talk with Mia.
She’d mostly stayed in her room, though I’d brought lunch.
Penny had brought her a cupcake and had stayed with her for an hour or so.
The few times she’d wandered out of her room, she seemed so deep in thought she didn’t register anything around her.
By early evening, I couldn’t stand seeing her trapped in her head anymore. I found her in the kitchen staring out the window, her gaze unfocused. “You want to get out of here for a few hours?” I asked. “Come have dinner at the compound.”
She turned toward me with tired eyes. “The Kiss of Death clubhouse?”
“Yeah.” I nodded. “Good food. Different scenery. Might help clear your head.”
She considered this for a moment. “Will there be a lot of people?”
“Some.” I kept my voice casual. “But no one who matters will bother you. And everyone there would throw themselves in front of a train for you just because you matter to me.”
Something softened in her expression. She nodded once. “OK.”
Twenty minutes later, we were on my bike heading toward the industrial district.
Jade pressed against my back, her arms wrapped around my waist. She held tighter than usual tonight.
I could feel the tension in her body where she leaned against me.
The farther we got from Haven, the more I felt her relax into the ride.
The wind and the engine noise had that effect and washed everything else away for a while.
While the compound and Haven joined at the back end and any one of the brothers in Kiss of Death could make it to Haven in under a minute if they really needed to, I took Jade on a roundabout through the center of our territory.
I knew she needed the freedom she got from riding behind me because I felt the same way.
When I thought she was ready, I pulled into the compound and parked next to Knuckles’ bike. I helped Jade off the bike so she didn’t stumble or burn her leg. She smoothed her hair and looked up at the building with nervous curiosity. I placed my hand at the small of her back. “You good?”
She nodded. “Just a little nervous.”
“Nothing to worry about.” I guided her toward the entrance. “These are my brothers. And their women are good people. Besides, you’ve met most of them already.”
Inside, there was a haze of smoke that didn’t smell like tobacco.
The delicious scent of some kind of grilled meat wafted stronger the deeper we went into the area.
Music pulsed from speakers mounted in the corners.
The main room stretched wide open, the original warehouse space transformed with a long bar along one wall, pool tables scattered throughout, and mismatched furniture grouped into comfortable seating areas.
Brothers in cuts drank beer and shouted over the music.
Some played pool. Others gathered around tables eating.
Jade stuck close to my side as we entered.
Her eyes widened slightly as she took in the scene.
I watched her carefully, ready to leave if she showed any sign of discomfort.
But her expression held more curiosity than fear.
I’d been grateful Hannah had banned the club girls tonight.
The last thing Jade needed was to think I’d ever allow my brothers to touch her in any way.
Violet spotted us from across the room. She waved and headed our way, weaving through the crowd. “Jade.” She smiled warmly. “So glad you came. Come on over. The girls are just sitting down to eat.”
Jade glanced at me questioningly.
“Go ahead.” I nodded. “I need to check in with Knuckles anyway. I will find you in a few, honey.”
Violet took Jade by the arm and led her toward a large table at the back of the room where several women sat together.
I made my way to where Knuckles stood at the bar. He clapped me on the shoulder as I approached. “How is she holding up?” he asked without preamble.
“Better than expected.” I accepted the beer he passed me. “Had a rough day. Eric sent legal threats to Haven.”
Knuckles cursed. “Fuckin’ piece of shit.”
“Ethan is handling it. Eric should be arrested by now for violating the restraining order, though that will only keep him busy for a few hours. I have no doubt he’ll make bail.”
Though we continued to talk, my gaze kept drifting to Jade across the room. Violet had seated her between herself and Mia. The table was loaded with plates of ribs, potato salad, and corn on the cob. Someone had put a shot glass in front of Jade.
I watched as Penny said something that made the table erupt in laughter. Jade smiled but didn’t say much. Another woman pushed a plate toward her. Violet leaned in and spoke into her ear. Jade nodded, looking around the table with increasing interest over whatever Violet had said.
As I took a drink of the coffee someone had set in front of me, Diesel shoved the front door open. He scanned the room frantically until his eyes landed on me at the bar. He rushed over, phone in hand, face flushed with anger.
“Rip.” He spoke fast and low. “Knight just called. That fucker Eric posted another batch of videos on a different site. Dozens this time.”
My stomach dropped. “Fuck. How many times did he assault Jade and set her up for rape?”
“Knight is working on it. But this time the bastard used a place notoriously hard to get to comply with take-down notices.” Diesel met my gaze. “This shit is getting out of hand. I’m the new kid on the block, but this Eric bastard needs to fuckin’ die. He’s a serial abuser and rapist.”
Around the room, phones began to ping with alerts. Knight must have sent out a mass message to the brothers. I turned toward Jade automatically, watching as phones at her table lit up one by one.
The women checked their screens. Their faces hardened simultaneously. Hannah spat a vile curse. Violet put her hand on Jade’s arm in silent support.
“Excuse me,” Hannah said. She stood to leave.
As she passed by Jade, she squeezed her shoulder, leaning down to whisper something in her ear.
Jade nodded, and Hannah stalked out of the common room.
No doubt, Knuckles would have his hands full tonight.
Hannah had hunted and killed more than one fucking bastard like Eric.
I had no doubt Knuckles would be tying his woman to his bed tonight.
Not necessarily for sex, though I figured he’d use sex as a distraction, but because Hannah could and would kill this guy.
Tonight. While I had no doubt Eric would, in fact, end up dead and likely very soon, now wasn’t the time.
There was absolutely no way I’d allow Eric’s death to touch Jade, and killing him now would force the authorities to look straight at her.
I started toward their table. Jade had frozen again, retreating into herself like she had earlier.
She looked up and found me approaching. Our gazes locked across the room.
For a long moment, she just stared at me.
I could see her processing what was happening.
But instead of crumbling, instead of the panic I had witnessed before, something else flickered across her features.
She drew a slow, deliberate breath. Then she straightened her spine.
I reached the table just as she spoke. “OK then.” Her voice was quiet but steady. “I want to hit him harder. I’m done hiding from this. Maybe with what Mia put together, I can push back.” Jade turned to look at me. “I want to press every charge I can, Rip. What can your brother or Ms. Thompson do?”
I knelt beside her chair so we were eye level. “You sure about this?”
She held my gaze without flinching, actually snarling in anger as she spoke. “I want to take my story back.” Her hand found mine under the table. “I’m not running or hiding anymore. He does not get to keep doing this. Not to me. Not to anyone else.”
Pride welled up in my chest. This woman.
This incredible woman who had endured so much was finding her strength right in front of me.
I squeezed her hand gently. “Then that’s exactly what we’ll do.
” I kept my voice low, just for her. “Whatever you need. However you want to fight. I’m right beside you. ”
Jade looked around at the circle of fierce, tattooed women who now watched her with newfound respect. “Thank you. All of you.”
Mia refilled Jade’s shot glass. “To taking back what’s yours.” She raised her own glass. Every woman at the table lifted their drinks. Jade took hers and raised it with only the slightest tremor in her hand.
“To taking it back.” She tossed back the shot without flinching.