Jalisa Chapter 5
I felt like I’d been tossed in the dryer on high and tumbled until my brains were scrambled.
Even after another night of sleep, which this time had been restless, I was no closer to solving my dilemma.
It seemed that nowhere was safe enough. The thought of Killer getting anywhere near me made my blood run cold.
He’d killed two women and a baby. The man was the biggest monster I’d ever heard of.
I felt terrible for those women, but my heart bled for that baby.
A part of me kept praying that they were wrong, that it was developed enough to survive, and that the baby was alive and well.
I was sitting in the common room at the Pagans’ compound.
Yesterday, after he returned, Dylan gave me a tour of the clubhouse and showed me where everything was.
I was loaned the room I stayed in the first night.
Dylan’s room was on one side of me, and Keno’s was down the hallway.
It seemed only the prospects lived in the clubhouse because the members had all built homes.
When I arrived yesterday, I’d seen the various houses but hadn’t paid much attention to them.
I was at loose ends and hated to sit around and do nothing.
I’d gotten up early and gone to their enormous industrial kitchen in the clubhouse.
I rummaged in the fridge, freezer, and pantry.
They were all extensively stocked. I was mildly impressed by the variety they had.
Back home, those things were usually bare, and I was the one always shopping and trying to keep them supplied.
There, everyone lived in the clubhouse except the few who had old ladies and kids. They had homes.
I found ingredients to make biscuits, sausage gravy, homemade hashbrowns, and a bowl of fresh fruit. I hoped the Pagans liked those. I was making a ton for breakfast. I knew how bikers ate.
“What are you doing? I went to your room, and you were gone?” a male voice asked from behind me. I gave a mini shriek and whirled to face him. Dylan was standing there, frowning at me.
“Criminy, you gave me a scare. What does it look like I’m doing? I’m making breakfast. I’m glad you’re here. Can you send a message to all the guys to come eat? It should be done in about twenty minutes.”
“Jae, no one asked you to cook.”
“You’re right, they didn’t. But I’m bored, and we all have to eat. I’d like to pay them back any way I can. Please send the message. I don’t want it to get cold. It should still be early enough that they haven’t gone to work.”
As he did what I asked, I stirred the gravy and thought about how ordinary it sounded that the Pagans hadn’t left to go to their various businesses. And all of those were legitimate if Dylan was to be believed.
“What is that heavenly scent I smell?” a deep voice called out.
“It’s food, and you’d better behave, or you won’t even be allowed to lick a spoon,” a female’s voice replied.
Moments later, an older version of Wrath and a pretty middle-aged woman came through the kitchen door. They were arm-in-arm. He scowled at her, and she gave him a sweet, unconcerned look.
“It’ll be done soon, and no one will be left out unless you really piss me off. Then you’ll have to eat your serving from the dirt out back,” I automatically snipped.
I did it at home, but as soon as I did, I realized they didn’t know me or my personality. They would take offense. I was about to open my mouth to apologize and explain when they burst out laughing. I stood there, not knowing what to do or say.
“Oh, Lord, you’re funny. I like you. Don’t ever let them think they can buffalo you. Keep them on their toes. This one is one of the worst,” the woman said, elbowing the man.
His scowl turned to a grin. He yanked her to him and kissed her. It wasn’t a peck on the lips and done. He kissed her like it was their last one. When he let her up to breathe, her face was red, and she was panting for air. His smirk was switched to me.
“I’m incorrigible, she says, but I think that’s just another way for her to tell me I’m awesome and she adores me.”
“Dream on. I’m trying to figure out how to get rid of you. Be careful, hon. I caught him somehow one day when I visited, and I can’t seem to shake him or find my way out of here.”
I was laughing openly at them. She winked at me, and the man grinned.
“Can I get you anything?” I asked.
“No, but can we help? You have your hands full,” the woman said.
“I’d like that if you don’t mind. It’s good to see you again.” I held out my hand to her.
“Oh my, how rude. Same here. And you probably remember this barnacle, Rage.”
“Woman, you better stop talking to me like that. I might up and run away.”
“Amen, finally,” she cheered.
“Dad, I swear, you’re always in trouble. What did he do this time, Betty?” Wrath asked as he entered the kitchen. He glanced over at me as he hugged her and kissed her cheek. If I had any doubt Rage was Wrath’s dad, it was dispelled. Seeing them together was enough without him calling him dad.
“Son, I’m innocent. All I did was follow my nose in here. I found this beautiful girl cooking. Betty is threatening to get rid of me and telling her usual lies. We know that there is no way she can live without me.”
“I wouldn’t bet on it,” Wrath replied. Betty had something different to say.
“Oh, really, and why would I never get rid of you?”
Rage came over and dragged her to him. He wrapped his arms around her then cheekily, without a bit of embarrassment, said, “Because you love what my tongue does to your sweet snatch and how my cock keeps you happy and coming back for more.”
“Jesus Christ!” Wrath moaned.
I doubled over laughing. I had to hold my stomach. They were hilarious. Rage smirked, Betty rolled her eyes, and her cheeks were slightly pink. When I got control, I straightened and smiled.
“Well, I have to say, a talented tongue and cock might keep some women for a while, but you’d better back it up with more. You have heard of dildoes and vibrators, haven’t you? They’re a woman’s best friend for a reason. Be afraid.”
Rage’s head went back, and he cackled. Betty was smiling at me, and Wrath watched us.
“I hope it was alright that I raided the fridge, pantry, and freezer. I thought it might be nice to fix breakfast for you guys. I asked Dylan to tell everyone it’ll be ready soon.
There’s orange juice over there, and I made coffee.
There’s milk in the fridge. The only thing I haven’t done is get out the plates and silverware.
Do you use real ones or disposable ones? ”
“I can help with those, Jalisa,” Betty offered.
“Thank you,” I told her.
“He sent a text. They should be storming in here any minute. If you say food, you’d better be prepared for a stampede. It smells heavenly. And it’s perfectly alright that you did it, but don’t feel you have to cook for us,” Wrath added.
“I enjoy cooking. I do it at home all the time.”
“They must love that,” Rage replied. He was standing next to me, eyeing the gravy. I saw his hand slowly moving toward the stirring spoon. I smacked his hands automatically.
“You put your hands or lips on this gravy before I serve it, and you won’t be able to eat any due to the fat lip I’ll give you.”
He laughed, then turned to his son. “Boy, I’m telling you right now.
Claim her. She’s the daughter I never had, and she’ll be perfect around here.
She acts like my Betty. She’ll help you keep people and shit in line.
I never had that when I was president. Who knows what I could’ve accomplished if I’d had my Betty then? ”
“Dad, you can’t go around just saying stuff like that. Don’t you think I should be the one to decide who I want as an old lady?” Wrath asked.
I admit, my heart had jumped when Rage said Wrath should claim me, and it wasn’t in denial.
However, the way he responded to his dad’s suggestion was clear.
I wasn’t Wrath’s type, but he was nice about how he said it.
Disappointment hit me, but I shook it off.
I wasn’t here to find a man. I was here to lose one.
“He’s right, Rage. I’m not looking for a man. I’m trying to get rid of one, remember? Besides, after Killer, I’m making a lifestyle change.”
“What’s that?” Rage asked.
“I’m becoming a lesbian or joining a nunnery. I’m not sure which yet.”
“Girly, that would be a terrible thing to do to the world, the male population overall, and my son in particular. You need to think about it. If you take on Wrath, you get me as your father-in-law. That should be enough to convince you right there,” he said cockily.
I loved Rage’s humor, so I played along. I giggled. “Alright, you might’ve convinced me. Look out, Wrath. Your dad has me almost determined to hog-tie you and slap my name on you,” I teased. I hoped Wrath had a sense of humor like his dad.
“Watch it. If I get your name on my skin, then you have to have mine,” was his comeback.
“Well, matching tattoos, that’s better than rings. Hell yeah, we’re all set,” I joked.
We were all laughing when the room began to fill with more male bodies.
I had to admit that spending my whole life around bikers had desensitized me to their biker personas.
However, you could never be too used to them not to appreciate their looks and ink.
I loved that overall look. That’s probably what drew me to Killer, even though he claimed he wasn’t a biker.
It was the aura and ink. They gave off this feeling of danger, yet in most cases, protection.
People said girls mainly chose men who reminded them of their fathers.
Wow, another Psycho was a scary thought.
To me, he was Dad and very loving, though we sometimes argued.
I never doubted he loved me. It was others who brought out the psycho side of him.
When they did, I sometimes pitied them or delighted in their punishment.