Jalisa Chapter 17
Over the days of preparation, since the others joined us, I’d gotten to talk to Tonda. I knew she’d tell me the truth and wouldn’t shield me. I asked her how Dad reacted when Panther told him he wasn’t allowed to come with them. Her answer left me even more confused.
“He was upset, as you can imagine. He said that Panther and Cougar should come, gain Wrath’s trust, and then spirit you away.
Psycho said something odd about how your being back would make it alright, and he should’ve never sent you away.
Panther argued that it worked out because you found your old man.
Psycho scoffed and said that you had your head turned, and as soon as you came home, it would go away.
He was still muttering about you being claimed by a Fiend.
He tried to tell Cougar he should, for God’s sake. ”
The thought made me gag. Cougar was handsome and a great guy, but he was a brother. I wouldn’t be able to do it. According to Tonda, Cougar told my dad the same thing. Only his words were he wouldn’t fuck his sister.
I was thinking of Dad because he should be here.
Today was the day. Hopefully, by the end of it, Killer and his friends would no longer be a threat hanging over us.
Then, I could work on figuring out why my dad was acting the way he was, get him to accept my choice, and hope I could fix it so we all could get along.
I was beginning to love my new extended family.
I, for sure, loved Wrath. I wanted us all to be one big happy family.
Everyone was on high alert as we rode into Eatonton.
The vast area where they held the car show was filled with classic cars.
They were gorgeous and took your breath away.
I couldn’t wait to check them out. I’d discovered that Resurrection Rides had worked on many of them.
Stalls and booths selling food, games, and merchandise were scattered off to the side.
I wanted to ride with Wrath, so I wore riding clothes there.
When we arrived, we ladies went to change into our outfits.
The guys were able to ride in theirs for the most part.
I was in love with the one Wrath had found for me.
It was bright, and the flowers on it were many different colors.
I twisted up my hair and pinned bright red flowers in it.
The red in them, the blouse, and the skirt set off my dark hair.
I’d done my makeup accordingly to complement the look.
I was pleased that Braelyn was coming and would also help out.
She did it last year and the year before.
She and I had been chatting a lot. That would give the Pagans four ladies.
As expected, I knew Tonda and I were armed.
I wasn’t sure about Betty and Braelyn. They might not be as comfortable with it as we were.
In the Fiends’ club, it was the norm. Still, Tonda and I had talked and planned to stick close to the other two women to protect them if the day warranted it.
I was introduced to Emiliano. When he met me, he raved about my look and demanded to know why I was with Wrath.
Then he asked if I spoke Spanish or had any Spanish blood.
He claimed someone as stunning as me, had to have Spaniard blood in me.
He’d gone into raptures when I responded in Spanish that I did, and where my mom’s family came from.
Wrath threatened him with bodily harm if he tried to steal me.
It was so funny to hear them snip at each other until they laughed and hugged.
“I’m very excited about the potential this year. I hope it’s more than last year. More people are in need lately, so the program is stretching,” Emiliano told us.
I noted the frown on my man’s face. “Emiliano, why didn’t you say something? After today, let me know what we have and what is still needed. We won’t let anyone go without. You know that. We’ll make sure it’s covered,” Wrath told him.
Wrath’s promise brought tears to Emiliano’s eyes. He turned to me. “ Querida , darling, I can’t do it,” he said mournfully.
“Can’t do what?” I asked.
“I can’t steal you away from him. Not when he does something like that. It would make me feel too guilty to do it to a man like him. He has a huge heart. We’ll just have to love from afar,” he bemoaned with the saddest look I’d ever seen.
I had to fight not to laugh, but I played along. I took his hand. “ Adiós, mi guapo pretendiente. Goodbye, my handsome beau. We’ll love from afar as you wish.” Emiliano beamed. Their laughter and smirks told me which guys understood Spanish. Wrath was one of them.
“ Estoy vigilándolos a ustedes dos. I’m keeping an eye on you two,” Wrath replied.
We stood and chatted with Emiliano and some of his regular staff, who would be helping to run the stall and do the cooking, although the ladies and I might be able to get our hands in there.
They were already preparing things, and the smells were incredible.
My stomach growled. I’d been too anxious before we left to eat, though Wrath tried to make me.
Once we determined that everything was under control and that we weren’t needed until later, Wrath took my hand and led me around to show me the other stalls and peek at the cars. Even though I was dressed in my lovely outfit, I proudly wore and displayed my property cut, just like Betty and Tonda.
We hadn’t gotten far when Braelyn came hurrying up to us. She was dressed in a different, though equally pretty, outfit. I hugged her after hellos were shouted, and her mom, Rage, and Wrath got in their hugs. Braelyn ran her eyes up and down me, making me spin around and face her.
“I swear, it looks good on you, Jalisa. I still can’t believe Wrath is a claimed man. I want you to know if you need help smacking him into line, I’m a phone call away.” She smirked at him.
“Ha, ha, you should know that’s assault and battery, Counselor. You can go to jail for that,” he snarked.
“You have to prove it, and I’ll cover my tracks. Better be good, or you might disappear,” she warned him with a wink. Then she looked back at me. “I’m serious. It looks so good. Seeing you, Mom, and Tonda in those makes me feel left out.”
“Is that a hint you wanna be claimed? If so, maybe we’ll talk,” Pope told her.
He smiled playfully at her. Others joined in and teased them as she laughed, except for one.
His serious expression made me wonder. Did he like Brae?
I’d keep my eyes on him. He’d better hope he had honorable intentions if he planned to pursue her, or Rage, Betty, Wrath, and I would beat his ass and send him packing.
Suddenly, my eyes were drawn to a car that took my breath away.
I was holding Wrath’s hand, so I tugged on it and almost dragged him over to it.
The gang followed. There was a chrome-trimmed mint-green nineteen-fifty-nine Cadillac Eldorado.
It was a huge two-ton car with massive fins.
It would be like driving a small boat, but it would be worth it.
The cream interior had been redone in what appeared to be authentic leather.
I rattled off the specifications without thinking.
The crowd around me got quiet. When I looked around to see why, they were staring at me.
“Why are you all staring at me that way?” I asked.
“You ride, fight, cook, are gorgeous, sexy, and now we find out you’re a car enthusiast and know shit about them, not that they’re merely pretty,” Ryder whined.
“Yeah, what difference does that make?”
“Pres, I’m killing you and stealing her. She’s a gearhead’s dream woman,” Ryder muttered as he grinned wickedly at Wrath.
I cried out in surprise when Ryder grabbed my arm and playfully pulled me away from Wrath. As my man came to get me, Cougar shouted, “Don’t worry, Wrath. He’ll bring her back once he gets to know the real Jae.”
I stuck my tongue out at him. I would’ve flipped him off, but there were kids around. People were watching us. Many had amused looks, but some appeared snobbish. The second bunch could kiss my ass.
After I was recovered by Wrath, we moved along.
There was so much to see. We didn’t get to finish before we were called to work.
Not everyone could fit in the booth to work, so those not on active duty stood guard outside and throughout the large property.
They were watching for any sign of the Black Outlaws, Killer, or trouble in general.
I prayed Killer wouldn’t be stupid enough to do anything with this many witnesses and innocents.
There was a line of people waiting for Emiliano’s Mesa to open.
There were small lines at other stalls, but nothing like his.
When the announcement went over the loudspeaker that food and drinks were now available, it was non-stop.
I was impressed by how the Pagans could keep those waiting from becoming cranky or leaving.
They engaged in conversation with them and had them laughing and chatting enthusiastically back.
Time flew by. Two hours passed quickly. The guys took turns circulating in and out while Tonda, Brae, Betty, and I remained steadily working.
Emiliano insisted we take a break, but we told him we’d keep working as long as the customers kept coming.
Though I was busy, I still scanned my environment often.
Eventually, I found myself in need of a trip to the bathroom. Wrath was nowhere in sight, but Vex, Cyclone, Forge, and Chains were nearby. I caught Cyclone’s attention. He came over to me.
“What’s up, Jalisa?” he asked.
“I hate to pull anyone away, but I’ve got to go to the ladies’ room. Wrath doesn’t want me to go alone. Can one of you come with me?”
“Yeah, give me a minute. Be right back.” He returned to Vex, Chains, and Forge.
While I waited, I checked out the crowds. It was a warm, late May day. Families were out in droves, and there were a lot of kids. I watched a little girl carrying a red balloon as Cyclone returned with Forge.