Dayanara Chapter 13
It was late, after eleven o’clock, when Stryder made it back to the compound.
We stayed at the clubhouse until I couldn’t stand it any longer.
Back at the townhouse, we’d tried to distract ourselves with a movie, but none of us paid much attention to it.
Stryder sent a text that he was on his way back.
Stalker replied, telling him to come to the house.
I was about to jump out of my skin by the time we heard the knock on the door.
“It’s open,” Predator shouted.
As our cousin walked in, I noticed the grim expression on his face.
My heart sank. It seemed he hadn’t succeeded with our brother.
He dropped into the empty chair in the living room.
A deep, ragged sigh escaped him. I watched Stryder run his hand through his hair. He did that when he was frustrated.
“That bad?” Stalker remarked.
“Yeah, that bad. I swear to God, I don’t know what has gotten into him.
He’s a stubborn guy, but this goes beyond that.
We argued for hours. I asked him why he called the cops.
I asked why he was backtracking and defending Marshall when he’d always hated him for what he’d done to Breezy.
I told him he hurt his family and that if he kept it up, he might not have anyone to call family. ”
“And what did he have to say to all that?” I asked.
I held on to both of my men’s hands, though I was seated on Predator’s lap. Earlier, it had been Stalker’s lap I rested on. Breezy was seated on the couch with us. I held her hand with my free one.
“He said that he brought the police into it for a couple of reasons. One, he feels that I’ve fallen in with a bad crowd by joining the Warriors, and he should’ve worked harder to dissuade me.
Now that I’m a member, I’ll go along with whatever they say because I don’t want to be kicked out.
He feels that Daya has allowed her past relationship problems to cloud her judgment and that she’s let you two trick her into a disgusting situation—his words, not mine.
Jess thinks we dragged Breezy into it, and she’s too scared to say how she actually feels.
When you refused to leave with him, he thought the police coming would make you see the light and return home where you belong. ”
A rumble was coming from deep in the throats of my old men. I growled.
“What about the whole Marshall deal?” Predator asked.
“He said that he’s not siding with Marshall.
All he’s saying is that, as ugly as what he did was, maybe killing him isn’t the answer.
That he’s been in prison long enough that he could’ve been rehabilitated.
If that’s the case, then Marshall should be given a chance to prove it.
Jess swears he’s not about to go back to being his friend.
He’ll never expose his sisters to that. Honestly, it was as if I were speaking to someone else. It wasn’t the Jess we know.
“I asked him if he was on drugs. He got offended and snapped no. But he was jittery the entire time I was there. He kept pacing and looking at his phone. I asked who he was waiting to hear from. He said no one.”
“And when you told him if he kept it up, he might not have a family anymore?” Breezy asked.
Stryder’s sad expression said it all. “He said that his family shouldn’t allow his voicing an alternative solution or a biker club to sway them from being his family.
He claims he loves us and only wants what’s best for us.
I was immensely happy when I told him that the cops had visited the compound and spoken to you both.
And they’d reach out about filing a false police report.
Jess was pissed that you texted him, then refused to answer his calls or texts, Daya.
He said it was childish. Jess’s mind and words were all over the place.
I’m seriously thinking he’s crazy, on drugs, or there’s something else wrong with him. ”
“Then he could go to the cops and tell them what we have planned for Marshall,” I muttered.
“Unfortunately, it’s possible. I didn’t bring it up, so I wouldn’t put ideas in his head. We’ve got to be extra careful. I can’t promise Jess won’t betray us,” Stryder warned.
My heart sank. Breezy broke into sobs. Stryder got up and came over to her. He eased her to her feet, then led her back to sit in the chair with him. As I let my cousin's words sink in, my anger toward my brother grew.
“We’ve got to tell Bull and the rest of the club about this.
And I hate to say it, especially with Thanksgiving being in two days, but Jess can’t be trusted.
I’d recommend having no contact with him, but that’s your call.
If you do, be extremely careful not to tell him anything about what we’re doing as a club, in our relationship, or regarding Marshall,” Stalker advised.
“I don’t care if he’s decided to cut Marshall slack or whatever. I will never forgive my rapist, and when we find the bastard, he’s dead,” I vowed.
We sat together, lost in our thoughts. Breezy eventually stopped crying and excused herself to go to bed. I doubted she’d get much sleep. I knew I wouldn’t.