Jackson (MC Sinners #7)

15 – Serenity

“ J ust trust that it’ll work,” I say to Jackson as we sit in the truck, staring down at the house where we still assume Gerard is. “We have enough information on this girl to get her to listen. I’ll convince her, you have to trust that I can.”

We managed to find out that it is a protective house, after a lot of digging, and then we had to close in and figure out who was in there and why. We followed one girl to a workplace, and Ciara went in, ordering a coffee from her and managing to get her name. From there, we figured out who she was, and it just so happens she has a rocky past with an ex-boyfriend who is refusing to leave her alone.

Multiple protection orders have been placed against him.

With the club’s protection, she might just be able to get out of that house and go back to her life.

That’s what we’re hoping, at least.

“If you’re seen ...” Jackson mutters, his eyes scanning the location.

“I won’t be. When she comes out for work, I’ll rush over and introduce myself. If she tries anything, you’ll be right behind me and we can get out of here. It has to be me, Jackson, she has to trust me.”

He growls, low, but nods.

We wait, the truck parked a few yards down so we’re not in front of any cameras. She should come out soon, if we have timed her work shifts correctly. She exits and waits by the road for a friend, who comes and gets her about five or ten minutes in, and that friend takes her to work and back again, so she isn’t alone.

She stays close enough to the house that if something were to go wrong, she could call out and someone would come to her rescue.

I’m wearing a wig, just to be safe, and a pair of dark shades.

It’s not really much, but hopefully it will cover me if there is any surveillance getting around. Jackson has a friend’s car, one that has no connection to the club at all, and we are hoping it will be enough to get us by until we can come up with a plan to get Gerard and Hound right where we want them.

“There she is,” I say quickly, watching as the gates open and the young, blond woman walks out.

She scans the streets, and then she goes and sits by the open bus stop.

“I have to go, before her friend gets here.”

Jackson growls, but he nods. He isn’t happy about this plan, but right now, we’re out of options.

I leap out of the car, rushing toward the girl, but slowing down as I get closer because I don’t want to scare her. She turns toward me as I approach, and I can see that she is immediately worried, because she takes two steps back and her blue eyes widen.

“It’s okay,” I say quickly. “I’m not here to cause you any trouble, I’m here to help.”

“Who are you?” she asks, her voice soft.

“I know who you are, and I know about your ex who is stalking you and making your life hell. I can help you; I’m part of a biker club and they can make sure he never bothers you again, but I need your help in return.”

She narrows her eyes, glancing around. “Is this a set up?”

I shake my head. “No, I promise you it’s not. I genuinely want to help you because I’m in trouble myself. I can prove it, if you want.”

“How do you even know who I am?”

I’m running out of time, so I go over everything as quickly as I can. I tell her who I am, how I got set up, that I’m part of the club, and that they can protect her. I also tell her how we found her and why.

She stares at me for a moment, her face somewhat vacant as if she doesn’t entirely believe me.

I don’t blame her.

“I know it sounds crazy, but it’s the only way I am going to clear my name. My partner is in the truck down the road, he is the president of the club. If you would like to speak to him, we can make it happen.”

“Why me, out of everyone in that house?”

“You were the first one we picked,” I tell her truthfully.

She still looks skeptical. I have no doubt she’s probably wondering if I’ve completely lost it, but I need to prove to her that this isn’t some woman just approaching her on the street for fun. I need to her to see just how serious this is.

“Look, I know this is crazy, and I know you’re probably thinking you should run, but I promise you I’m telling the truth. Here, this is Jackson’s number, he is the president. It has the address of the club written on the back. If you want our help, we’ll give it to you.”

A car is coming down the road, and I know it’s her friend.

I have to get out of here.

“Think about it,” I say, then I turn and rush off.

Reaching the truck, I jump inside, and Jackson takes off.

We can’t risk being in one place for too long.

“Do you think you convinced her?” Jackson asks, glancing at her in the rearview mirror.

“I hope so,” I say, swallowing.

God, I hope so.

“THERE IS A GIRL HERE for you,” Addison tells me when I answer Jackson’s phone the next morning.

She is at the club, keeping an eye on things there with the guys. Jackson and I have to stay hidden. I hate it, more than anything, but there isn’t a great deal I can do. I feel so isolated from the rest of the world, but we have to do whatever we can to prevent me being locked up again, even if it sucks.

“Is she blond?” I ask, praying it’s Tayla, the girl I approached on the street yesterday.

“Yep. Her name is Tayla.”

“That’s the girl we want to help, tell her we will be there soon.”

I hang up the phone and turn to Jackson. “She’s at the club. Can we get in without being seen?”

“Yeah, but we have to make it short, we can’t stay anywhere for too long.”

We take Ava and go outside, getting into his truck, before making the drive to the club. I am keeping everything crossed that Tayla is there to accept my offer and that she hasn’t somehow gone over our heads and organized for the cops to show up.

It’s a huge risk, but it’s the only option we have.

I stay low as Jackson parks near the bushland behind the club, and we go the rest of the way on foot, entering through the locked back fence. It’s the only way we can get in without being seen. Once we are safely inside, we go to the office where Tayla is waiting with Addison and Cade.

It takes everything for me not to get ahead of myself and start rambling. I keep calm and offer Tayla a warm smile. Her eyes move to Jackson, and then she looks back to me, and I can see she’s nervous purely by the way she has her arms wrapped around herself and is rubbing her hands up and down, almost as if she’s wondering what she’s doing here.

“You said you could help me,” she asks me, her voice small. “How?”

“You tell me what you want,” Jackson tells her, “and I’ll make it happen. Whatever that is. Nothing is out of reach here.”

Tayla looks concerned for a moment, then whispers low, “I just want my life back. He has taken everything from me. I can’t do anything, I can’t be with anyone, I can’t fall in love or move away because he makes my life hell. I just want it back.”

“Then I’ll get it back,” Jackson assures her. “I promise you that.”

“And all you want from me is information about that guy staying in the house?”

“Yes,” I answer for Jackson. “That’s it.”

“Okay,” she agrees, swallowing. “I’ll do it.”

I could scream with joy, but I keep it together.

“Tell me everything you can about this man who bothers you,” Jackson nods at Cade, who leaves the room. He returns a moment later with Fynn. “My guy here will keep an eye on you, protect you until we can deal with him. He’s good, he won’t hurt you.”

Taylah’s cheeks flush. “H-h-h-him?”

Jackson grins. “I promise he’s a lot nicer than he looks.”

Fynn gives Jackson a look but doesn’t say anything. He rarely does. But he’s a good guy, and he’s hot as hell, so I’m sure Tayla isn’t too upset about her new bodyguard.

“What do you need me to get?” she asks, her eyes still on Fynn.

“We need to know anything about Gerard, family, friends, anything you can possibly find out. Nothing is too big or too small. If it seems relevant, it is.”

Tayla nods. “He mostly keeps to himself, but he is easy to talk to. You said he is bad?”

“He’s a murderer,” I say carefully. “He’s not safe.”

Tayla’s eyes widen. “What?”

“It’s a long story, but don’t leave yourself alone with that man. He’s bad news.”

“He seems so nice and acts all innocent and like the world is trying to tear him down. He really killed someone?”

“Yes,” I confirm. “But he’s good at hiding who he is.”

Tayla hesitates, like she’s finding it hard to believe Gerard would hurt anyone. I get that, Ciara didn’t pick it either. If it wasn’t for her determination, she probably would have never figured out it was him. He’s that good, and he is always one step ahead, which is why we need something we can use against him to get him and Hound working together.

Something he’ll do anything to keep hidden.

“I’ll get what I can. I do know he has a sister, because she visits him a lot. She is older than him, and her name is Suzie, but that’s all I know.”

“It’s a start. We’ll look into it,” Jackson assures her. “Cade is goin’ to get all the information from you, and I promise you, we’ll make sure you get your life back.”

There is a glimmer of hope in her eyes, and my heart breaks for her. It’s clear she has been desperately searching for herself and hasn’t had a chance to find it because someone has been dragging her down. I know she doesn’t want to hope, to actually believe the club can get her freed from that monster, but I know they can.

I can’t wait for them to show her that.