13. Willow #2
Gig walks back downstairs and hands me the body cam.
“I have this one, and I also got you another earpiece. I know you did your research, but call or text me if you need anything. You have a spotter, but I can also jump on a plane if you need me,” he says, and I give him a hug.
Usually, they don’t freak out this much when I go on a job, but I think it being the first job back after we lost Mom is throwing us all off.
I hope when I get home, we can get back to normal…
Or at least figure out our “new normal.”
We all walk out of the house and head over to where Jackson parked the truck. The door of the main building opens, and Dad leads the way, followed by the MC officers, and my brothers taking up the back. They see us and start in our direction.
I really can’t handle any more awkward situations.
Since I already said bye to my Dad and my idiots, I look up at Jackson.
“Can we go? I need to catch my flight.” He nods, and I think that he understands that I don’t have to rush off to the airport, but I actually don’t want to deal with the sperm donor.
I don’t know if he wants to meet me or not.
I just really don’t want to have anything to do with him.
I fling my door open and climb up as fast as possible. I’m used to having to climb for things—it’s what happens when you grow up in a household of giants.
I also move as fast as I can so Knox doesn’t feel the need to help me again.
I wasn’t expecting it the first time, and don’t like new people touching me.
I also have no idea if he’s flirting with me, or if he’s just like that with everyone.
I’m not good in these situations because they never happen to me.
I’m too wrapped up with my family and my businesses that I never really meet new people, especially ridiculously hot people.
I figure the less I interact with him, the less chance I have to make an ass out of myself.
After I get myself buckled, he closes his door and settles in behind me.
I risk a peek over my shoulder, and he’s staring right at me.
My blue eyes clash with his eyes, so dark they look black.
He looks irritated. Not too sure why he would look irritated at me for getting my own ass in the seat, but I break the eye contact.
I redirect my attention out the front window, and it looks like the President and the sperm donor caught Jackson before we could escape. He looks irritated and is giving them short, one-word answers. I’m okay at reading lips, but they are all talking over each other, so I can’t keep up.
Jackson says one more thing, and then stomps his way back to the truck and gets in, slamming the door and turning the key. When we get to the front gate again and John opens it from the control room, I finally say something.
“I’m sorry that we couldn’t get out fast enough. I had no idea that they were having the meeting today,” I tell him while focusing on his hands that are gripping the steering wheel so tight, I can see the veins pushing against the skin. As I speak, they slowly loosen.
“Don’t worry about that. It’s club business, anyways,” Jackson says in a calm voice.
“Why weren’t you guys at the meeting? Aren’t you supposed to take over after their reign?”
“Reign? Seriously?” Jackson asks like he’s exasperated with me already. He’s going to have to get his tolerance for annoyance up if he is going to be a part of this family, because I’m nothing compared to Ben.
“Whatever, I’m just trying to make it sound classy,” I say like I am frustrated too, instead of trying to hold back my smile.
“Willow, we are an MC. We don’t do classy,” Jackson replies with a small laugh.
“That’s unfortunate. I guess there’s no hope for you, then.
I will keep my ceremonial robe for another occasion since I don’t think it would be appreciated,” I say, rolling my eyes at him.
“But you guys could have stayed if you needed to. I appreciate the ride and everything, but I didn’t want you to miss something important for me,” I add, hoping that he can hear my sincerity.
I love that Jackson wanted to spend some time getting to know me, but I didn’t want him to get in trouble.
I know how important the MC is to these guys.
Jackson gives Knox a look in the rearview mirror that I don’t understand, then glances over at me.
“It wasn’t important, and I would rather hang out with you before you leave for who knows how long,” Jackson says while smiling at me.
As we drive to the airport, Jackson and I talk the entire way, which is shocking, because usually it takes me a lot longer to warm up to people.
It was mostly Jackson asking me questions about Mom and growing up in our family, with Knox staying quiet the whole time, listening and letting us get to know each other more.
When we get to the airport, I direct him to the entrance for Dad’s plane.
We pull up next to the runway and hop out of the truck, then him and Knox grab my bags out of the back and walk them over to the plane for Tim, the flight attendant, to load for me.
I turn to Jackson and Knox, holding my hands awkwardly and say, “Thanks again for the ride. It’s a lot easier than having to find someone that I trust driving my baby. ”
“It’s not a big deal, and if you need, I could grab your car next time,” Jackson says with a shrug.
“I’ll have to start your screening process if you want to touch one of my babies. It’s pretty thorough, but I’ll let Gig do it while I’m gone. He probably still has the background check, so that will help,” I say with a serious voice, so he knows I’m not kidding.
“Actually, if Gig is doing it, maybe I will hold off. I don’t want to know what else he will need to look at if he already pulled a background check,” Jackson says while he looks a little nervous.
“Good idea, we can wait until after we get the results from the ‘behind the wheel’ portion,” I say as Jackson’s eyebrows go higher and higher. I think he’s regretting his offer the more that I talk.
“Let me know how it goes before I apply,” Knox adds with a chuckle and a slap on Jackson’s back as he steps up to me.
He grabs my hand and raises it to his lips, and I just stand there, feeling the shocked look take over my face.
He kisses my hand like they do in fucking movies while he says, “I’ll see you when you get back,” while giving me a smirk before letting my hand go.
He steps back to stand beside Jackson, who is glaring at him. I snap out of my shock and can feel my cheeks heating up as Jackson steps up and opens his arms, looking a little unsure. I slowly take the last step before walking into him and giving him a hug.
We hold on for a second before he steps back and says, “Be safe on your job, and text me every now and then so I know you are okay,” while looking at his feet.
I think I will keep this brother. It’s been a few days, and he already is worried about me.
I’m about to respond when I hear the growly voice that makes me want to commit murder for free.
“Thanks for showing up, Princess. I’ve only been waiting for a fuckin’ hour. If this is how babysitting is going to go, I’m going to need your daddy to give me a fuckin’ raise.”
I turn around and see Grey. How could my dad send this asshole as my spotter?
Where the fuck is Kaiser? He’s my usual.
Glaring at him, I try not to get distracted by his piercing hazel eyes or the jaw line that could cut fucking glass, his broad shoulders, or the giant arms that are completely covered in tattoos from wrist to, well, I don’t know how far they go because my mind may melt if I ever saw him without his shirt on.
Giving my biggest, fakest smile to the most annoying, sexy, frustrating man that has ever worked for my dad, I say, “I’m so sorry to inconvenience you, Greyson, that does sound frustrating.
I wouldn’t blame you if you were so mad that you got your ass— the one that has a stick the size of a totem pole lodged in it—off the plane and went back home.
I can tell my dad that I was the worst, and he can send Kaiser, which is who I thought would be with me.
” Batting my eyelashes at him, I wait for him to get even more pissy, since I used his full name that I know he hates.
Is it childish? Yes, but do I give a damn? Fuck no.
“Kaiser is on another job,” he says while staring down Jackson and Knox. After a moment, he decides to add, “Are your new worshippers coming? Or are we going to do this shit so I can get back to my real job?”