Chapter Twenty-EightAinsleyReese
If anything good came of days in the cabin with Jinx, it was solidifying our friendship. We talked, laughed, and cried together. She helped me through some of my darkest days of missing Reese and mourning Roman, and I listened to her grief over Louisiana’s betrayal. I sensed she still loved him, but she couldn’t trust him, so she didn’t see any way forward for them. On the other hand, she gave me hope that perhaps Reese would put things into perspective while on his run and finally admit he had real feelings for me.
A week before Thanksgiving, our errand guy came early in the morning with news that the guys were back. Jinx was wanted at the clubhouse and Ma Siller awaited me.
Jinx had been so good to me; it was my turn to return the favor. We’d been planning for this announcement for three days, ever since Tyson and Fox re-installed the antennae and signal booster. We figured the guys would return soon and Louisiana expected Jinx to have changed her mind.
“Chi Chi, we weren’t expecting to go back today,” I said, exchanging a glance with Jinx and smiling at the prospect. “We had a spa day planned.”
He was a skinny guy with huge gauges in his ears and piercings covering his face. Tattoos decorated his arms, neck, hands, and fingers. I was pretty sure he had a crush on Jinx.
“But Reese and Louisiana—”
“It would make me so happy, love,” Jinx said with a little pout.
Blushing, he took in her pink hair, touched upon her face, and studied her lips.
She twirled her hair around a finger. “Send Tyson and Fox away, then you and I can go pick up some supplies for Ainsley and me. Oh fuck. Never mind. That means you’ll be the only guy here stuck with us.”
“You all didn’t know they were coming home today,” he said quickly. “You’ve got the right man for the job. I have two sisters, so I know how girls like to pretty themselves up. Leave it to me—”
“I don’t want to be alone in this cabin,” I inserted. “Once Tyson and Fox leave, let Jinx go pick up what we need, while you stay with me.”
“Uh—”
“Ainsley’s a good friend of mine,” Jinx said. “Like a sister. If you get them away from us and stay here with her, I promise I won’t be long.”
“ Ainsley will be more protected at the cabin than you will be on your own going from place to place. Shit’s about to hit the fucking fan because my cousin told me a little while ago that Nova Wren’s body was found a few days ago.”
Gasping, I stumbled back as if I’d been shot. Even Jinx paled, but Chi Chi kept on talking.
“Those Bloody Scorpion fuckers are blaming us. That cunt wasn’t even on our radar right now. Why the fuck would we want her dead?”
Jinx folded her arms. “I thought you were supposed to take different routes every day so no one would follow you?”
My head was buzzing and it felt as if a piece of my chest had been ripped away. Nova had proven herself not to be a true friend, but that didn’t stop grief from overwhelming me for the person I thought she’d been. Yet, even in my shock and misery, unease slid into me. Reese promised we’d be safe because two of the guys wouldn’t leave and one would take different routes every day to check on the four of us and deliver supplies. Chi Chi apparently hadn’t listened.
Unconcerned at the risk, he shrugged. “His old man’s gas station is a rinky dink old place that belongs in another era, but we go there to help the family keep it going since it’s so important to JT.” He smiled. “Sometimes, I even get your stuff from there if it isn’t too much. It isn’t too far from the club, so there’s no danger. Bean heads over to the gas station after his overnight gate duty shift. I stop in on my way here. I have to go back, though, because the news threw me off and I forgot gas.”
“You can get gas somewhere else,” Jinx said firmly.
Chi Chi shook his head. “Nope. I can hang out a little longer with Bean. JT might still be there, too. Old man’s a funny motherfucker. Anyway, we need to hit the road so I can update Prez about that dead cunt, and he can let everybody else know what’s going on. Bean told me to let them know ASAP, since he’d just found out from a chick that stops in sometimes. Apparently, she was a school friend of Nova’s.”
“Bean should’ve brought his ass back to the fucking club and told Razor,” Jinx yelled.
“Bean thinks Razor likes me more than him and he’ll receive the news better from me.” Chi Chi threw his hands up in the air and blew out a frustrated breath. “Chances are another motherfucker told them that bitch got iced.”
Unable to take it any longer, I staggered to the sofa and sat, doubling over and bursting into tears.
“Asshole,” Jinx hissed. She stomped toward me, sat down, and hugged me. “I didn’t like that bitch, but I know she was your friend. I’m so sorry, Ainsley.”
“We grew up together,” I sobbed. “I was done with her. She’d changed so much. I didn’t want her dead, though.”
Chi Chi’s eyes widened and he scrubbed a hand over his face. “Uh, wait. Your Nova is that Nova?”
“If you mean the daughter of the Bloody Scorpion’s president,” I said sadly and wondering what rock he’d been under, “then yes. They are one and the same.” Imagining what she must’ve suffered, the fear she’d probably experienced, made me cling to Jinx and ignore Chi Chi’s gasp. “I’m sorry. I know…she’s the reason you and Louisiana…I’m sorry,” I rambled, devastated.
“It’s okay, sweetheart.”
“Now, they’re blaming the Royal Bastards for something Boom Boom did.” I told Jinx about what happened to Nova on her father’s orders. “He sacrificed her to come after Reese and Louisiana.”
Jinx froze.
“He probably would’ve blamed my death on the Bastards, too.”
Pulling away from me, she took my face between her hands. “We have to go to the clubhouse, Ainsley. You have to tell Razor before Keir ends up dead. Not that I care,” she added quickly. “I want to kill him myself. I’m more concerned about Reese.”
I searched Jinx’s face and saw her panic. I knew it was partly because her plans were going up in smoke, but mostly because of Reese and Louisiana’s safety.
“We can stick to our plans,” I whispered, swiping my cheeks. “I’ll go.”
She hugged me again. “You’re the sister I never had. I’ll find another way to escape,” she said in the same tones. “Right now, we’ll go together.”
We ended up staying a week longer than expected because once we finished our work and went to Provo for the concert, Razor insisted we stay an extra few days to help out Zombie at their salvage yard, Outlaw Towing, which also served as their clubhouse. While we were there, Bolt replaced the sprockets on his bike and the chain adjusters. The trip ended up being an all around success, except for the fact that I couldn’t talk to Ainsley. She stayed on my mind. After our last night together, I felt as if I’d become a little obsessed with her.
Chi Chi gave me a daily update and it impressed me how she’d not only won the guys over but solidified her friendship with Jinx.
As soon as Jinx arrived, I planned to head to the Siller house and tell Ainsley I wanted us to move in together. Razor warned me not to interfere with whatever Louisiana had planned for Jinx, but I didn’t think the asshole would win fucking points with her by kidnapping her and holding her hostage until she changed her mind, which was exactly what the fuck he planned to do.
Razor said it was their business. I called bullshit and wanted to save Louisiana from another monumental mistake with Jinx.
To pass the time until she arrived, I sat at the bar next to Louisiana, looking at apartment listings. We were road weary and a little dusty, but we needed to unwind from the exhilaration of our trip, so we were all hanging around.
“No! No! No!” Louisiana suddenly shouted, drawing my attention. Losing all his color, he jumped to his feet.
“What’s the matter, Louisiana?” Warrior asked from where he sat at the table with Razor, Jester, and Bolt.
Louisiana’s hands were trembling as he stared at his phone in horror. “No! This can’t be true.”
“What?” I demanded, truly intrigued now.
Marquis, Knight, and a couple of other guys gathered around us.
Louisiana raised his gaze to me, but I wasn’t sure he actually saw me, so I snatched the phone from his hand
A photo of Nova greeted me, along with the caption that her body had been found five days ago. According to the short article, there were no suspects.
I wasn’t sure what to make of Louisiana’s reaction. He’d claimed not to have any real feelings for her, but then he seemed on the verge of losing his shit. Her death didn’t matter to me. She’d fucked over Ainsley too many times. As far as I was concerned, she got what the fuck she deserved.
Razor walked over and snatched the phone from my hand. A look of momentary confusion dropped into his face, then he set the phone on the bar and stared at Louisiana.
Before anyone said anything else, the door opened and one of the prospects guided Jinx and Ainsley in. If not for the outrage rising in the room, I would’ve thought she was a figment of my imagination.
“Jinx, is this some kind of a fucking joke?” Razor demanded, glaring at Ainsley.
The roar tore Louisiana out of his shock and he hurried to Jinx, though his scowl to Ainsley raised my fucking hackles.
“I’m sure Ainsley talked Jinx into bringing her here to see Reese,” Louisiana said.
I stalked to Ainsley’s side and tucked her against me as Jinx shook her head.
“That isn’t true, Keir,” she said tightly, evading his hands when he tried to draw her to him. “Tell them—”
“What can she say?” Louisiana asked. “That she betrayed her friend and got her killed?”
Louisiana and I were brothers and my loyalty was to him and everybody in our club. They superseded all else, but I’d be goddamned if I allowed him to fuck over Ainsley, especially because of Nova.
“Let’s take a walk, brother, so we can talk,” I said coldly.
“Talk about what, Reese? I was hiding in Roman’s closet when Ainsley came in the day Boom Boom beat her up because Nova punched her after Ainsley exposed my marital state.”
Jinx choked, and all I could do was gape.
“Do you hear what the fuck you’re saying?” I demanded.
“What? That I dropped Nova when fucking Boom Boom called me trying to figure out my identity after he found my fucking number on her phone? I didn’t want her but I sure the fuck didn’t want her dead.”
“How the fuck is that Ainsley’s fucking fault?” I snarled, fed up with motherfucking Louisiana and his saga of two women. One who all the brothers liked and agreed he’d been a jackass not to use any means possible for Jinx to never discover he’d fucked over her; and the other who needed a fucking bullet in her head because she abused Ainsley’s trust.
“I didn’t want her dead, either, Louisiana,” Ainsley said quietly. She licked her lips and looked at Razor. He was a fearsome motherfucker, but she kept a respectful distance and spoke calmly. “I’m almost positive her father killed her. He wants a reason to come after…after…” She glanced from Louisiana to me and back to Razor. “I’m sure he killed Roman and…” Her voice broke, but she drew in a deep breath, swallowed and forged on. “Boom Boom wants me dead, too. Missile said otherwise, but he wouldn’t like that I carried Reese’s baby. He’s going to make his brothers believe Nova and Roman’s deaths are an egregious affront that has to be avenged.”
Razor gave her a severe look. “Who introduced you to Reese? Was it Louisiana? Was it because he was fucking Nova and you were her friend?”
“What?” she whispered.
I tightened my hold on her.
“Answer here or in the pit,” Razor growled.
A little tremble surged through her. I didn’t want to give up my best friend either. If Razor was interrogating me, I’d find a way to save Louisiana, even if it was him who’d kicked off this latest round of bullshit by fucking Nova.
“I’m counting to three, then I’m snatching you from Reese,” Razor warned.
I hated the panic on Jinx’s face and the resignation on Louisiana’s. They believed Ainsley would give him up to save herself. I merely wondered what the fuck was Razor’s end game: branding Ainsley a traitor no matter how she responded or finally accepting her if she gave the right answers.
“We met at a Cajun restaurant. At the bar,” Ainsley added. “I don’t like sitting at a table alone, so I was going to have a daiquiri and my food at the bar. Reese…Reese was by himself, too. He, uh, he said his friend liked the place but he was a no-show.”
“What is Nova Wren to him?” Razor pressed.
Pursing her lips, Ainsley rocked on her heels. “I wasn’t aware Reese knew Nova.”
In all fairness, he could’ve meant me, but we all knew he wanted information about Louisiana and Nova.
“Oh, I’m sure he did,” Razor declared, glaring between Louisiana and me. “Those two stick together.” He glowered at Ainsley. “So tell me just how deeply involved was my road captain with the daughter of my club’s biggest enemy?”
Ainsley shifted her weight.
“Answer me.”
He roared those words he seemed to be stuck on so fucking loud, we all fucking jumped.
“Prez, ease up on her,” I said. “She’s pregnant.”
“Shut it, Reese,” Razor ordered. “If I take her downstairs, you won’t be around while I get my answers.”
I glared at Louisiana, hoping he’d speak the fuck up and save Ainsley, but he turned his head. Fucking asshole.
“Now, talk, Ainsley,” Razor said.
“I don’t th-think Louisiana…” Ainsley swallowed and tried again. “He didn’t have a relationship with Nova,” she whispered.
Razor gave her a nasty smile and my fucking heart dropped. “I don’t believe you. He just freaked the fuck out over her death.”
Louisiana drew in a deep breath and Jinx’s face crumpled.
“I’ve heard bits and pieces about the war and the rivalry,” Ainsley started. “I know the Bloody Scorpions shadow the Royal Bastards and pop up in the same cities your club has claimed territory in. And I know there’s been a lot of death on both sides. My parents included. If Louisiana was with Nova, it wasn’t because he wanted her. We had a conversation when he brought Roman to me and I’ve thought about it. I think Nova was a means to an end.”
“If that’s the case, why is he so fucking upset over her death?” Razor asked. “You want to psychoanalyze? Do that one. But you standing there lying isn’t helping his case or your case. I was suspicious of Reese, when it should’ve been this motherfucker.” He pointed to Louisiana. “That baby’s in your belly because of him. That bitch is dead because of him.”
“First? Ew .” Laughter rose up at Ainsley’s dramatic shiver. Even Razor smiled. “ Reese is the reason I’m pregnant. Not Louisiana. Perish that fucking thought. Second, Nova’s death…” Sadness pulled her features down. “If Roman was still alive, I’d think he killed her. She’s the one who outed my pregnancy to her father and marked me for death. Roman wouldn’t have taken kindly to that. It wouldn’t have mattered what I said, she would’ve been dead.”
Razor folded his arms. “Killing his president’s daughter would’ve been a death sentence for him.”
“Do you really think he would’ve cared about that?” Ainsley responded. “They tried to kill me. Roman would’ve seen that as the ultimate betrayal.”
“Look me in the fucking eye and tell me Louisiana didn’t have anything to do with you meeting Reese,” Razor demanded. “Tell me he wasn’t fucking your best friend. Repeat what you said to me about meeting Reese at a fucking bar.” He locked gazes with her. “Don’t drop your fucking gaze. Don’t flinch. Don’t stutter. Just tell me the fucking truth.”
“The truth?” She looked at Louisiana, then me before raising her gaze to Razor again. “The truth is Louisiana loves his club and he’s loyal to his patch. The truth is he ended up caring about Nova but always put his wife first. It’s why he disappeared for days at a time and didn’t want Nova calling him. The truth is he wanted Reese to stop grieving for Trinity and I swore I only wanted no-strings attached sex. The truth is Louisiana probably saw it as a grand joke that he set up his best friend to take the virginity of a Bloody Scorpion’s sister. The truth is Roman turned down Nova’s advances five months ago because he only saw her as my friend and another sister. It pissed her off, so she set me up. The truth is I was blindly trusting and very na?ve and should’ve been honest with Reese.”
“Why weren’t you?” Razor said, though he’d lost some of his edge.
“Because I trusted Nova and Louisiana, and I thought they were right that Reese was perfect for my first time. But it was simply because I was attracted to him. He captivated me within minutes of meeting him.”
Razor looked at me. “You can move her to your room for now. Get shit sorted.”
“Thanks, Prez.”
“I can stay with Reese?” Ainsley breathed, not giving Razor a chance to answer before she launched herself against him, stood on tiptoe, kissed his cheek, and hugged him. “Thank you.”
Razor grunted. “Louisiana, do what you have to with Jinx, then report to the pit. I’m beating the fuck out of you.”
Louisiana nodded, lifted Jinx into his arms, and started carrying her away, ignoring her curses and struggles.
All my happiness fled.
“Where’s he taking her?” Ainsley demanded.
“It’s not our concern,” I said in warning. Better me than Razor. I understood Ainsley’s outrage, I was feeling a good dose of it too, but she was my main concern, which meant she couldn’t interfere with Jinx and Louisiana any more than I could. “Let me show you upstairs—”
“Jinx didn’t come here to be manhandled,” she cried.
“It’s between Jinx and Louisiana,” I said flatly. “I’m going to have Chi Chi take you back to Ma for right now. I’ll pick you up later.”
She gave me an incredulous look that I ignored. She’d just gotten on Razor’s good side. It was so new, one little misstep could make him revoke his good will. Certainly, she knew better than to interfere in any club business, especially between a brother and his ol’ lady.
She scowled at me, turned on her heel, and stomped away.