Wrath Chapter 2 #2
“Eventually, I told Dylan he could prospect and laid out the expectations and rules. I sponsored him since he knew no one in the club. To ensure that he got a fair chance and that his background didn’t subconsciously color anyone’s opinion of him, I swore him to secrecy on his identity and made Crusher do the same.
I was planning to tell you about it now that he’s had a solid six months to prove his mettle.
Unfortunately, before I could, a problem arose tonight.
Hence, why you’re all here at one in the morning and the prospects are at the Thieves’ Hole. ”
“What problem?” Rage asked.
I knew he wouldn’t keep his questions to himself.
I granted him leniency as the prior president, not as my dad.
He was used to being in charge, even if it had been years since he headed up the club.
Sometimes, things would slip out of him.
I did give him a quelling look. I wasn’t sure if it had any effect.
“I’m the problem,” Jalisa said clearly.
I shook my head. “Not exactly. Guys, Betty, this is Jalisa. She’s Dylan’s cousin.
She’s been staying with him for a couple of weeks.
He didn’t tell me since it was supposed to be only for a few days.
I haven’t gotten a chance to talk to him about why she’s here.
However, Dylan came to the pub tonight looking for help.
He got a call from her asking him to come back to his apartment and bring some club members.
She didn’t say why. He was seeking permission to ask some of you to go with him. Ryder and I decided to go instead.
“When we got there, we found Jalisa in the kitchen armed, with two dead men on the floor and another tied to a chair.”
This reveal had them all whispering. Incredulous looks were thrown at her, but Jalisa smiled and seemed unaffected.
“She took on three men, killed two, and tied up another on her own?” Nomad asked.
I could tell by his skeptical tone that he didn’t believe it. If I hadn’t seen it, I wouldn’t either. She appeared so tiny. I’d be surprised if she weighed more than a hundred and ten pounds. Her body was toned, but still.
“Yes, I did. I can tell you’re all filled with disbelief. Wrath, I don’t mean to interrupt, but would you like me to explain how I did it and what happened at Dylan’s place before I called him?” she asked sweetly.
“Go right ahead,” I told her.
“It’s true. I’ve been at my cousin’s apartment for two weeks.
I knew he wouldn’t be back tonight. His work at the club would run late, so he’d bed down here.
I had gone to bed and was finally asleep.
I was exhausted and hadn’t slept for a long time.
Anyway, a noise woke me. I was groggy, and it took a couple of moments for my head to clear and determine what woke me up.
It was the sound of people in the apartment.
Since I knew Dylan wasn’t to be there, and he wouldn’t bring company if he changed his mind, I knew whoever it was shouldn’t be there.
They had to be there for a nefarious reason.
“So I slipped out of bed, got dressed, and took my gun and knife out from under my pillow. I stalked them through the apartment. They had the lights off. Luckily, I’m familiar with every inch of his place and see great in the dark.
I found two of them in the kitchen. Thinking that was all of them and not wanting to warn the second one before I was ready to deal with him, I chose to stab the first guy in the heart.
“He dropped fast, and I didn’t have time to retrieve my knife, so I used my handgun to shoot the other one charging at me.
That’s when I discovered there was a third.
I heard him calling out to them and moving toward us.
He had been in Dylan’s bedroom. When he entered, I hid behind the kitchen door with a cast-iron skillet and brained him with it.
He passed out, and I got him in a chair and secured him.
Then I called Dylan. I knew I’d need help to deal with all three of them. ”
As she finished her story, everyone began to talk. Some asked how she could have done it, while others said she had to have had help. A couple asked why she slept with a knife and gun. I let them chatter for a few moments, then whistled to get them to shut up. They did so reluctantly.
“I know you have questions. I can’t answer them with you all hollering—one at a time. And realize we have a captive waiting for me. I may have to finish this discussion later. Storm, let’s start with you. Ask your questions.”
“I want to know why I wasn’t made aware as VP. However, we can talk about that in private. You told us about this other club and Dylan having family, which she’s a part of. You didn’t say which club it was. Who is he related to?”
I dreaded saying the name. It was well-known, even if we didn’t run in their circle anymore.
They were known to be men you didn’t fuck with, and Jalisa’s dad was especially someone you didn’t want to be on his bad side.
Their club was in Athens, Georgia, an hour away.
Our territories didn’t overlap. They lived in a big city compared to our town.
We kept our noses out of their kind of business.
Taking a fortifying breath, I told them.
“The club is one we know. They’re in Athens, so our territories don’t meet,” I said first before dropping the name. “They’re the Hell’s Fiends MC.”
I couldn’t continue due to the shouting and exclamations of disbelief. I was yelling for them to calm down. Ryder got up on a table and added his voice to mine. That finally made the others quiet down, but there was still some muttering under their breath.
“And who is her dad?” Chains asked.
“Those of you who’ve been in the club for a while might recognize his name. Jalisa’s dad is their enforcer, Psycho.”
“Jesus Christ! Are you kidding us? We have Psycho’s nephew and now daughter under our protection. Do you know what he’ll do when he finds out three men broke into his nephew’s apartment when his daughter was there alone? We’ll be lucky if he doesn’t kill us all,” Rage exclaimed.
This confession caused them to erupt again.
This time, I let them get it out of their system.
I understood their fear and anger. The Fiends were no joke, and the worst was Psycho.
Although I had to admit, when I spoke to him about Dylan, he’d been calm and rational.
I had no idea what he’d do when he discovered this.
We had a one-percenter enforcer’s princess in our club. Jesus Christ was right.
A shrill, make-your-ear-hurt whistle rang out. It had people flinching, and the shouting dropped to barely a murmur. I heard it the worst since it came from the pint-sized woman beside me. She was no longer smiling. She wore a scowl.
“You all need to calm the fuck down. My dad and his club aren’t going to come in here and murder anyone.
Unless you sent those men in to kidnap, rape, or kill me, then he’s not going to be pissed off at you.
He will have questions. The whole club will.
I have them, and I bet you do, too. Who were they, and what did they want?
I suggest the fighting and whatever else you plan to do can wait until after we have answers.
It’s late. We’re tired. Let’s go question the fucker so we can get some sleep. ”
They were now staring at Jalisa through a mixture of narrowed and surprised eyes. I didn’t know if I should clap, laugh, or tell her to let me handle my club. Before I could decide, she turned to me.
“Sorry there, Hercules. I didn’t mean to overstep. I just thought we should get to the important shit. Who my dad is and which club he’s in isn’t the top priority. Have you decided yet? Am I coming with you or relegated to staying here like a powder-puff pussy?”
I prayed I wasn’t about to make a colossal mistake. “You can come with us. But if I say you have to leave, you go without a fight. Do you understand? You know how this works. Don’t make me have to have you removed. I don’t want to lay hands on you,” I warned her.
To my shock, she winked and said softly, so I was the only one to hear her, “If it’s you putting hands on me, then I’ll misbehave for sure.”
I stood there speechless. I wasn’t opposed to her flirting. I liked it. But who she was would prevent me from accepting anything she may offer. God, did that suck.
“Honey, your flirting is cute, but none of us will take it seriously.”
“And why is that?”
“Because you’re Psycho’s daughter. It ain’t happening.”
I moved toward the door before we could go deeper into the subject I didn’t want to discuss. She was back to scowling as she followed me. My brothers were right behind us. I saw Rage kiss Betty, and then she took a seat. I guess she planned to wait here for him to return.
Outside, we climbed on our bikes. Seeing that it left Jalisa without a ride and not wanting her to drive or, God forbid, ride with one of my brothers, I made a choice—one I had never made with any woman in the past. Many had asked, and I refused.
“Jalisa, you’re riding with me,” I called to her.
Her face brightened as she hurried over to my bike.
I noted the way my brothers exchanged looks.
They were aware of my stance on this, and most shared the same opinion.
They wondered what was up with allowing her on my bike.
That seat had always been reserved for my future old lady. I couldn’t have answered them.
As she expertly swung on behind me, she whispered, “Don’t worry, Wrath. I won’t get the wrong idea about this. I know it’s just convenience. I’ll keep my flirting and hands to myself as much as possible. But I want you to know that while Psycho may be my dad, he doesn’t rule my life. No man does.”