Jake’s Angel (King’s Of Fury MC #2)

Chapter 10

CHAPTER TEN

JAKE

After leaving the grocery store last night, I took a long ride to clear my head. Seeing the bruises on Avery’s arms had every protective instinct inside me begging to beat the shit out of the person responsible. I was furious to see a handprint on her. I was even more pissed she refused to tell me the fucker’s name so I could deal out his punishment.

This morning, I'm still seething about it.

What was worse, what had my head reeling, was hearing her name. I haven’t heard the name Avery in years.

Sixteen years, to be exact.

Sure, I know there had to be others who crossed my path, but I never heard it. Maybe I learned to ignore it or tune it out. I don’t know.

You were busy trying to forget.

After Thomas and Nate disappeared, and Gabe’s family was murdered, those names were rarely ever mentioned again. It became club business, and not even the club spoke of it anymore.

Of course, some of the townsfolk mention Maggie from time to time. Hard not to when the restaurant we all frequent throughout the week is named after her. Her pictures are still up at Caleb and Liz’s house, though they’re kept in the guest bedroom, not in the front of the house. There are some in Gabe’s office and around the clubhouse too, but no one ever speaks about them. Especially his daughter Avery.

She was two years old when she died. Maybe there weren’t enough memories to discuss. It’s odd to me for people to forget a child, but it’s what everyone seemed to do.

Everyone except me.

I couldn’t let go of the memories after hearing Avery’s name. I couldn’t be around the club either, without explaining why I was in such a foul fucking mood. Figuring a half a bottle of Jack and a good night’s sleep would help, I took off down the road for home.

I was wrong on both accounts.

The whiskey did jack shit to stave off the memories, and I tossed and turned all fucking night dreaming about my Angel named Avery with the bruises on her arm. Both did a fucking number on me.

It’s barely light outside. Too fucking early. Pulling into the clubhouse this morning, I’m still dragging after all the whiskey it took to finally knock my ass out. The hangover I’m sporting isn’t doing me any favors either.

I kept dreaming about the little girl in my arms and the woman I kissed at the diner. Their faces morphed into one another. My Angel kept calling me, asking me to save her one more time. I’d see the little girl in my arms resting. Someone suddenly appeared out of nowhere, dragging her away from me, screaming. It was all followed by my mother’s voice echoing, “She died. We didn’t help her fast enough.” Then we’re all standing at a gravesite with a picture of my Angel surrounded by a wreath. I woke up in a cold fucking sweat in the middle of my empty room.

But they aren’t the same person. It’s not possible. Yet I still felt the pang of guilt. Two different females, both calling to my possessive and protective nature.

I can’t fucking win.

Parking my bike, I crush my palms to my eyes and try to push back all my shitty thoughts. I need to focus. Pres called church and needs me on my game. I don’t know what’s happened since our last session, but seeing a familiar black dual cab truck pulling in through the gate tells me it isn’t good. Pop’s home.

He’s not due back until this weekend for Sadie’s graduation celebration. For him to be here now, after the last church session, means shit has officially hit the fan. The threats must’ve escalated.

His truck pulls into the spot right next to mine. He hops out, comes around the hood, and we throw our arms around each other in a firm hug.

“Hey Pop. Nice to see you out of that fancy suit and back into your real uniform,” I tease, pulling back. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen him in his cut. I hate it when he wears a suit. It’s part of the persona he carries when he’s working to keep up appearances. It’s what most of the Garrison Security clients are looking for. They call in asking for a security detail, but their main intention is to appear important enough to need one.

Rich fucking snobs.

They get the occasional ex-boyfriend stalker or popstar needing extra coverage at a concert venue. It’s not all that uncommon, they get the mercenary jobs of rescue and retrieval, but those are classified missions the club doesn’t get involved in. A whole separate set of guys Pop has on payroll that we hardly ever see.

“Hey, son. It’s good to be home.”

“Not that I’m not happy to see you, but what the fuck are you doing home so soon, and coming in under the cover of night?” I ask, turning so I can lean back against the side of his truck.

“It’s not night. It’s nearly seven in the morning, Jake.” He smirks.

“Uh-huh. And how many people know you’re in town? Have you seen Mom yet?” He scrubs the back of his neck with his hand. “That’s what I thought. She’s going to have your ass when she finds out you didn’t come straight to her first.” I chuckle, knowing exactly the kind of hell he’s going to catch from her. My mother is as sweet as they come and she’s loyal as fuck, but the one thing she won’t put up with is her man not coming to her before the club. She sacrifices a lot for him to be in the position he is in with Garrison and West Enterprises and all she asks is for him to see her first, before going to the club when he comes home.

“Yeah, I know. But this couldn’t wait. She’ll understand.”

“No, she won’t.” I laugh. Pop chuckles beside me as we walk toward the clubhouse.

“No, she won’t,” He agrees. “But I’ll find a way to make it up to her.” He smirks, giving me a wink and I shove his shoulder.

“I don’t need a picture of you two fucking in my head, Pops. Come on, man.”

He’s still laughing and shaking his head. “When you find a woman like your mother, you’ll do whatever it takes to make her happy. Rough sex makes your mother happy. Therefore, I use the tools God gave me to keep the peace in our home as often as I can.” He shifts his junk and walks past me through the clubhouse door and straight to the bar to pour himself a cup of coffee.

“Welcome home, Daddy!” Jayde squeals as she comes out from the hallway, running into Pop’s arms. He sets his coffee down, not missing a beat. He’s lifting her up and spinning her around, planting a kiss on her cheek.

“Good to be home, Lil’ Bit. Hold up, let me get a good look at you.” He drops her to the ground and motions with his finger for her to spin around. She throws her arms out and does as a little spin, adding a curtsy for good measure. “You’ve grown to be just as beautiful as your mother, baby.” He pulls Jayde in for one more hug before releasing her and turning his attention back to me.

“Daddy, it hasn’t been that long since you saw me last. I’m pretty sure I look the exact same,” she sasses.

“Except for the flush on your cheeks, I’d say you’re right,” I interject. “What were you doing down the hall anyway, sis? Shouldn’t you be at work or school or something?”

Jayde glares at me around Pop, no doubt wishing she could throw flames from her eyeballs to melt my face, but the question remains. What the hell business does Jayde have coming out from the hallway where all the brother’s rooms are located?

“I came to ask Hawk if he could help me with an idea for Sadie’s graduation party.” Pop leans back, his arms crossed over his chest. I match his stance. Both of us are waiting for her to elaborate.

She sighs heavily, “Fine. I was asking him to help me with a gift idea.” We both stare at her. She throws her hands up. “I don’t speak car. I don’t understand her level of computer geek. So, I came to ask Hawk for ideas. Why are you two looking at me like I just shagged one of your boys?”

“Don’t say shagged,” we both grumble.

“And I am not a boy!” Hawk calls from behind her. He sidles up, draping an arm over her shoulder. “But she is telling the truth. She came to ask me for help with Sadie’s gift.”

“I need to get my butt moving before I’m late for work,” Jayde says, leaning up to kiss our cheeks. First Pop, then me. “I’ll see you later, Daddy. Suck a dick, Jake.”

“Love you too, sis!” I call out to her back. She flips me the bird, and I laugh at the little shit.

Gabe stalks over and throws his arms around Pop in a bear hug.

“It’s about time we got your ass back home, brother.”

“It’s good to be home. Would be nice if it were under better circumstances.” They share a look, followed by nods and Gabe shouting to the room, “Let’s go fuckers! Church. Now.”

We all pile in and take our places around the table. Gabe tells Declan to close the door, then proceeds to slam down the gavel, calling the meeting to order.

He shares a quick look with Caleb, who gives him a nod. Upon further inspection, I notice Gabe’s got dark circles forming under his eyes. He looks tired.

Maybe he’s having shitty dreams too.

He directs his attention to Pop and asks, “Where’s Russ? Do we have eyes on him?”

“He’s been taken to a secure location. His family and all the offices think he’s in Florida finalizing some business there. I have Wyatt and Luca with him now awaiting further instructions.”

“Does his wife know what’s going on?” Caleb speaks from his corner behind Gabe. Rising to my feet, I lean against the wall. I’ve got too much pent-up energy. I need room to move.

“She knows there’s been a threat. She knows about the missing asset. But she has been instructed to not speak publicly or otherwise until we’ve had a chance to investigate with our resources first.”

“And you trust her to keep her mouth shut?” Pres asks skeptically.

Pop nods. “Eleanor West will want nothing to do with bad publicity or a scandal. She has a reputation to uphold. She’ll do whatever it takes to maintain the illusion of being in control and business as usual.”

Gabe stands tall, legs wide, crossing his arms over his chest. “Boys, we have a problem. Now that Mack is here, we can lay everything out on the table.”

We all sit up a little taller. Seeing the stress and worry on Gabe’s face has everyone a little on edge. He’s visibly nervous, which is not like our President at all. Nothing scares him. He’s usually the calmest one in the room. The voice of reason. At this moment, he looks like he’s about to throw up. Uncertainty is written all over his face.

We all glance around the room at one another, a silent question passing between us. Jesus, now what?

He takes another deep breath, collapses down in his chair and leans back, rubbing his hand over his chin. “I told you all Mack had a situation he needed our help with.” We all nod. “It appears Marco Cusenza has stepped up his game. We have a dead Garrison employee and a missing girl on our hands.”

“The fuck?”

“Who?”

“How?”

Everyone speaks up at once. Questions and curses charge the now tension filled space.

“Chuck—Charles Sanders—was shot during a suspected home invasion at the West’s mansion. During the invasion, the West’s granddaughter went missing,” Pop fills in.

“Went missing?” Declan asks. “As in kidnapped or ran away? Do we even know?”

“We’re not sure.” Pop rolls his neck. Declan should already have this information since he’s managing Garrison. The fact he doesn’t raises a few red flags.

“Was there a ransom note? Anything leading you to believe she was taken?” Jameson asks.

“Not exactly. Cusenza had already issued verbal threats to Russ regarding his family. He sent a note with a photo of his granddaughter at a graduation party two days ago by courier to our meeting in Florida. He knew Russ was out of town and took advantage of his absence to get someone close enough to her to get the photo. It was taken a few hours before her disappearance.”

“How was Chuck shot? Was there a home invasion?” Ethan looks between the three older men at the front of the room. They seem to be trying to decide what information they want the club to know. It’s not uncommon to keep us in the dark about Garrison clients, but there’s something different about this particular incident. The tension in the air and the way both Caleb and Pres seem to visibly restrain their frustration only serves to confirm my suspicions.

“We can’t say for sure,” Pop says, letting out an exaggerated exhale.

It’s Pres who fills in the missing pieces. “We know nothing was taken or is missing from the estate, except their granddaughter.”

Declan appears deep in thought when he tosses out a possible explanation. “Maybe Chuck was a casualty they didn’t expect. It could’ve been a situation where the plan was to get in, grab the girl, and get out. Maybe shit went sideways. Chuck tried to stop them and got shot.”

“There’s more,” Pop adds. “We have reason to believe Sadie may have been involved.” Several murmurs of “what the hell” and “Holy shit” fill the room. Hawk slams his fist on the table next to his laptop, awaiting his instructions.

“I don’t see Sadie taking part in killing someone, especially not someone who could be linked back to the club. The guy worked for Garrison. It’s a direct line to us.” Hawk looks around the room. “She’s reckless. Not stupid.” I follow his line of sight and realize we are all agreed on that last point.

“It’s more likely she would help the girl sneak out than it is for Sadie to help someone kidnap the girl,” Ghost says. “She’ll go to hell and back if you’re a loyal friend. Someone she trusts.” The guys all nod their agreement. “Sadie’s no killer. I know we taught her to shoot, but a gun isn’t Sadie’s weapon of choice. She might fuck with someone from a distance using her keyboard, but I don’t see her pulling a trigger.”

Gabe slams the gavel a few times, calling the room to order.

“We have reason to believe Sadie may have helped shut down the security system, which allowed the girl to disappear.” Gabe says it like she’s an accomplice to Cusenza’s men, but I’m not so sure I believe that. It doesn’t sound like Sadie at all.

“Fuuuuck.” Ethan sighs his disbelief.

“If you believe Sadie’s involved, why isn’t her ass on lockdown at the clubhouse?” Jameson questions Gabe. His tone proves he’s not buying this theory either.

“Because we need her to lead us to the girl,” Gabe says, scrubbing his face with both hands. The weight of everything is evident in his features.

“So, you don’t think someone kidnapped the girl?” I ask, the wheels turning in my head. The last twenty-four hours playing over in my mind like a broken record.

Ah fuuuuck.

“Wait!” Ghost turns his head to meet Hawk’s face, which is currently buried in his computer screen as he’s studying something. I imagine the Garrison Security system since it’s his ‘baby.’ “Are you’re saying you think Sadie fucked with the security system and helped this girl escape? Or do you think Sadie is working for Cusenza? Which way are we leaning?”

“I don’t think she’s working for Cusenza. It’s not like her to help someone harm an innocent girl,” Caleb says. Pop nods. “But it wouldn’t be unlike her to help a friend in need.”

“Sadie knows the girl, but are they friends?”

“Why would Sadie think the girl needs help?” Jameson and Ethan both shoot of questions at the same time.

“They go to school together. They’re thick as thieves some days,” Pop says, shaking his head and scrubbing a hand down his face. It's the first I'm recognizing just how worn out he appears. “That leads me to believe Sadie would try to help the girl. She’s also the only person we know with a viable reason and the ability to get past Hawk’s system. She spends a lot of her time trying to best him at his own shit.”

“But why?” Declan crosses his thick arms over his chest, glaring at Pop. “Why would Sadie jeopardize herself to help this girl if she didn’t have a good reason?”

“That’s the part we don’t know,” Pop answers. “Avery has never shown signs of wanting to leave or not being happy living with Russell. I know she had her moments with Eleanor, but the woman is a controlling bitch. We all have crossed paths with her from time to time.”

I feel like I’ve just been kicked in the chest by a fucking horse.

Avery. He said the girl’s name is Avery.

If Sadie knew about the bruises, there’s no doubt she would’ve helped Avery get away. Especially if she thought she has a shitty home life situation. Though Pop seems to think otherwise. The problem is, I don’t know who left the marks. They could’ve been from Cusenza himself. Which would mean Sadie stole Cusenza’s leverage against Russ, and he will look for Sadie now, too. I have no fucking idea. I could start a war with the wrong information.

I have to tell them.

“And we’re sure Sadie helped this girl leave the estate?” Jameson still isn’t convinced, but it’s Hawk who confirms it had to be Sadie. She’s the only other person he knows who could possibly crack his system. As much as it pains him to admit it. “How did she get past your system anyway? Have you figured it out yet?”

Hawk glares at Jameson from over the top of his laptop. He shrugs and smiles back, giving Hawk a wink.

“We don’t know for certain it was Sadie, but it would make sense. She knows the girl. They’re friends. And if Sadie thought she was in trouble, she’d do whatever she could to help. Loyalty is both Sadie’s greatest strength and, at times, her biggest weakness,” Caleb says with pride as he talks about his granddaughter.

“ If it was Sadie, she’s been fucking with my shit for a few weeks now. The system has had minor glitches and outages for small increments of time over several days. The power outage two nights ago was the longest one yet, lasting nearly eight minutes.”

Declan and Ethan both laugh out loud while Ghost rubs Hawk’s shoulder with his meaty hand and asks, “You got outsmarted by the kid ?” He shakes his head at Hawk as if he’s ashamed. The entire room is full of laughter as Hawk continues to seethe.

“Are we sure the girl didn’t shoot Chuck?” Caleb calls our attention back to him.

“If she did, she had to have a damn good reason.” Both Gabe’s voice and his facial expression are intense. I don’t understand why he’s coming to her defense, but he seems beyond pissed.

“We don’t know yet who pulled the trigger,” Pop says, running his hand down his face. “If she did shoot him, it would have to be for a really good reason. I just can’t see her doing something like that. She nearly vomited when we took her to the range to get her used to the feel of a gun.”

“Why the fuck did you take her to the range?” Gabe growls.

“She was terrified of my men walking around with guns strapped to their sides. Sadie suggested we take her to the range since it’s a controlled environment and let her get the feel of a gun and learn how to use it.” Pop shrugged. “It made sense for her to have some safety awareness with a houseful of weapons. We taught all our kids. Avery was no different.” Pop glares at Gabe, his brow raised as if daring Pres to argue.

“Maybe she would pull the trigger if she felt threatened.” The conversation continues, but I'm stuck replaying last night's encounter in my mind.

“I wanted to leave. He wouldn’t let me go. When I struggled, his hand left marks.” My Angel’s words echo through my mind.

“Do we have a picture of the girl?” I’m certain it’s the same girl, but I need to be sure before I unleash the club on anyone.

Pop hands me his phone with a screenshot of a beautiful blonde girl standing next to Sadie, both leaning against Loretta. There’s no question—it’s her. I take a closer look, zooming in on the face, and I recognize those emerald green eyes. Her hair is different now, but I’ll never forget those eyes or those lips.

What trouble have you gotten yourself into, Angel?

“When was this taken?” She doesn’t look like this anymore. She looks older, her hair has streaks in it now, and the cut shapes her face more.

“That was taken a couple of days after Sadie’s eighteenth birthday.”

“How old did you say this girl is?”

Please be legal. It was just a kiss, but please be legal.

“Eighteen.” Pop answers. My breath comes rushing out of me. Thank fuck. Gabe suddenly looks uncomfortable.

My eyes shift from Gabe to Caleb, and then to Pop. They all have the same strange look. It’s a mix of sadness and … guilt.

Eighteen years old. Blonde hair, dark green eyes. Avery.

Anger and frustration claw at my chest, fueled by the knowledge someone could be hunting her right now, and with Sadie getting herself caught up in the middle of it all. Someone hurt my Angel. The marks on her arm. The pained look that crossed her face when I asked about them. The way she winced at my touch. And the fire she spat when I asked about it.

Is she protecting him? Whoever he is.

Could it have been her grandfather?

It would make sense to keep her mouth shut if she thought I was going to send the club after him.

Unless she already killed the fucker responsible and didn’t want anyone to know.

Too many scenarios. I need fucking answers.

Her words are on continuous replay in my mind, keeping my protective instincts on high alert. Now more than ever I need to know who put their hands on her.

Was it Chuck?

Her Grandfather?

Some other fucker?

Pop?

My eyes snap to his. Pop looks at me questioningly, giving a slight chin dip. Pop would never hurt a woman. I know he wouldn’t. He’s far too protective and borders on psychotic when it comes to the women around here. I can’t imagine him being any different to the granddaughter of the man he’s been protecting all these years.

I need to talk to Angel. I need to know what happened. How she got to Oakridge. What kind of trouble she’s in.

“I know where she is.” I blurt to the room. Everyone’s attention zones in on me. Gabe’s eyes narrow. Caleb’s eyes meet mine as he leans up on his knee, listening intently.

“How? Where?” Pop snaps. “Out with it, Jake!”

“I don’t know where she’s staying. Last I saw her, she and Jayde were at the grocery store last night. I didn’t know who she was at the time …” I shake the photo in my hand. “But it’s her. I’m certain of it.” Hawk snatches the photo from my hand, taking a long look at it himself.

“Fuck. Me. You’re right,” Hawk says, leaning over Pop’s shoulder to look at the picture. “It’s the spunky little spitfire we had breakfast with.”

He takes it and tosses the photo to Ethan, who also confirms it’s her.

“Hold the fuck up,” Gabe growls. “How long has she been here?”

“I don’t know. A couple of days maybe. We only saw her yesterday.” I answer honestly.

“She’s feisty. I like her.” Hawk adds. It’s my turn to growl.

“Are they at Sadie’s house now?” Gabe raises a brow at Hawk, who starts typing rapidly.

“Can you even get into her security system? I mean, it’s one of your programs, right?” Ethan teases from across the table. Hawk flips him the bird.

“Um …” I start, but I don’t know if I should finish. Pop nods, nudging me to continue. “There is something else you all should know.” Everyone waits quietly while I gather my thoughts. I hope I’m wrong, but there’s a real possibility I’m not. “The girl. She’s got some interesting bruises on her arm in the shape of someone’s fingerprints. When I confronted her about them, she said she got them while trying to get away from some guy. Apparently, he didn’t want to let her go,” I explain, arching my brow, knowing Pop will understand what I’m thinking.

“You talked to her?”

“Yeah, at the store for a second.” I don’t mention the kiss we shared. I’m not looking to get my ass beat. “You’re thinking the guy who hurt her may have been Chuck,” Caleb says what I’m thinking. “You think she could’ve shot him?”

“I honestly don’t know.” I shrug. Rolling my neck from side-to-side, trying to relieve some of the tension gathered there. “If they have a history, if he’s hurt her before, then maybe when he grabbed her this time as she’s trying to get away …” I don’t finish my thought, not sure I believe she would kill a man. Pop grumbles something under his breath.

“We need to get to Sadie’s house and find out what the hell is going on,” Jameson snaps.

“Don’t bother. Sadie’s not home. She left for Baron’s Edge before the sun was all the way up,” Pop announces.

“You let her leave town?” I ask, anger lacing every word. “I thought the idea was to keep her here. Why else would we waste the manpower following her ass around everywhere?”

“Because we need to know what she’s up to and who Sadie is working with, if anyone.” Gabe’s the one to shed some light.

“Colt said Sadie left the house alone this morning,” Hawk says, reading what I’m guessing is a text from the prospect in question. Hawk sounds almost as angry as I feel. The small growl Hawk lets out doesn’t go unnoticed by Pop.

“Where’s she headed?” Jameson leans on the table, waiting expectantly.

“Not sure yet. Prospect just said they’re on the road headed to Baron’s Edge.”

“Let’s get a plan in place. We can’t do anything until Sadie gets back into town. We don’t want to risk spooking the girl,” Declan speaks out over the room.

“In the meantime, Hawk, I want everything you’ve got on everybody in Sadie’s life right now,” Gabe growls. “Phone records, emails, everything you can dig up.”

“On it.”

Hawk is tapping his fingers across his phone screen. “Looks like Sadie’s running some errands. The notes app on her phone says she’s meeting M at the Petali di Rosa Hotel restaurant, going to the bank, to Mack’s house, and the school to get her diploma. She’ll be back at her place late tonight.”

“How do you know what her plans are?” I have a pretty good idea of his answer, but I still feel the need to ask.

He shrugs nonchalantly. “I cloned her phone before we gave it back to her.”

“And you approved this?” I ask Pop. He shakes his head, but doesn’t reprimand him, which tells me he doesn’t see any issue with Hawk’s invasion of Sadie’s privacy.

“Keep an eye on her. Let me know when she gets back and what she’s doing. We need to tread lightly for now,” Gabe barks out his orders. “I want a prospect watching Sadie’s house even when she’s not home. Hawk, can you get into her computer or her cameras? I want to know what she’s up to. If Sadie is working for the wrong people, I want to know what it is she’s doing exactly, and why.” Gabe slams the gavel down on the table. “I’ll call church again when we have more information, and we’ll go from there.”

I don’t know what has this girl running, but this time she’s not getting away from me. Not until I get some answers.