Jake’s Angel (King’s Of Fury MC #2)

Chapter 26

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

JAKE

I’m sitting at the bar with Hawk and Jameson squabbling about some bullshit beside me. I haven’t been paying attention to them. All my focus has been on Avery as she’s spent the entire night avoiding me.

I’ve watched her dance to every song, looking like she doesn’t have a care in the world. It’s the lightest I think I’ve seen her look since she’s been in town.

I knew when I saw her take a double shot of Jinx’s special brew that she was still pissed at me. She had to be if she was willing to drink against her own better judgment. It’s okay though. She can let loose here if she wants to. I’ll keep watch over her.

Because it’s your job?

I’ve been nursing the same beer since we got here. Fighting with myself about the shit I told Hawk about Avery. She’s more than my charge. I only said it because I don’t want to admit out loud what I already know to be true.

She’s mine.

Sadie’s screeching pulls me out of my epiphany moment. Her words cutting me to the quick.

“Jake! Avery needs you!” She’s screaming, but the music and the crowd are louder. “Breathe Avery! Come on, babe. Fucking, breathe!”

The sight before me has me seeing red and charging the dance floor like a raging bull. Avery is on her knees on the ground, breathing erratically and not responding to anyone around her while Sadie sits on the ground in front of her, saying her name loudly over and over again.

I push my way through the crowd and find my Angel laid out on the ground, her head in Sadie’s lap. Sadie has tears streaming down her face as she argues with some asshole standing above them. Everyone else has formed a circle around us, waiting to see what will happen next. Strangers have their cell phones out, recording this shit as it unfolds.

“Prospect!” I shout to the crowd. All four men come running in my direction. Blake is the closest, so I give him my orders. “Collect all those phones and delete everything. I don’t want anything getting out about this.”

“On it.” Blake grabs the other three, and they make the rounds to collect phones.

“What did you do to her?” Sadie’s screaming at the same asshole. He was the last person I saw dancing with Avery just seconds before shit went sideways.

My head snaps from Sadie to his direction. He throws both hands up in surrender.

“Nothing! I swear. We were dancing, and she moved to face me, and then she just freaked the fuck out. I didn’t do anything to her, man. I fucking swear!”

People are grumbling and muttering shit all around us. My brothers are all doing what they can to ensure damage control. I hear Pres barking at someone for lockdown protocols.

I don’t have time to figure this guy’s shit out. Hawk and Declan are quick to restrain him. They’ll take him to the basement for questioning. My primary concern is getting my girl and getting her the hell out of here.

Ethan and Jameson are pushing the crowd back making a path to the clubhouse doors. Skyler’s holding a shaking Violet.

I don’t take much time to worry about the other people around us. I know my brothers will handle shit from here. I need to take care of my girl.

I squat down beside Sadie, and motion for her to move. She gives me a skeptical look. I get it. I’m an asshole.

“Let me take her. I’ll get her in the clubhouse away from the crowd.” Sadie still isn’t convinced. Her loyalty to her friend is unmatched. “I’ll take care of her, Sadie. You have my word.”

That seems to do the trick. Sadie gently slides out from under Avery’s head, and I cradle my arms under her neck and legs, lifting her with me off the ground.

Avery’s eyes are flittering, like she’s fighting to get them open. She takes in a deep breath and sighs out my name. Just like last time, her hands grip on tight to my T-shirt, turning her face into the crook of my neck.

“I’ve got you Angel. I’m going to get you out of here.” I promise as I push us through the crowd.

My pulse is thrumming in my ears. I don’t know what’s going on, but I’m about to find out.

One minute she was having a good time, driving me crazy as I watched her from across the yard. She, Sadie, and Jayde were surrounded by a group of my brothers and some locals from town, all dancing and smiling. Then suddenly the girls were yelling at someone to get their hands off her.

I don’t have all the details yet, but I’m damn sure going to find out.

“Is she sick?” I ask Jayde, who’s hot on my heels. She shakes her head.

“I don’t know. One minute she was dancing, happy, the next she was on the ground,” she answers, shaken up and concerned for her friend.

“What did she drink?” I know I saw her with one drink, but after how pissed she was earlier and with Sadie playing the little devil on her shoulder, I can’t be too sure she didn’t have more. Jayde shakes her head again and tells me she only had one, then she stuck to soda and water.

“Did someone touch her?” Just the thought causes my blood to boil and has me scanning the crowd for a target to hit.

The group dancing with them is not all from around here. Some may have come with a friend if they’re visiting town. If one of them did cross the line, I wouldn’t be able to do anything without proof and a vote. It doesn’t make any sense, but someone must have done something for her to react this way. Something caused my girl to panic, and I need to know who or what it was.

I walk at a rapid pace with Gabe, Pop, and Caleb following fast behind. “Take her inside!” Gabe barks. I nod and waste no time getting her away from the nosy crowd. They’re all concerned. They’re my brothers and knowing she’s Gabe’s daughter makes this shit even higher priority.

All I need to know is who fucking scared her?

The three men follow us into the clubhouse straight to my room where I sit on the bed with Avery nestled against my chest. I try to lay her down, but she’s not letting go of my shirt.

“Angel, let me lay you down. I need to check you out.” I whisper where only she can hear me.

“No. Don’t let go, please.” Her voice is barely there. That of a small, insecure child. The memories of holding her the night of the crash come rushing back. How scared, small, and frail she was then. She couldn’t ask for my help then, but she’s asking me now. I find my grip tightening and her body getting as close as possible to mine as we sit there holding on to one another.

We both jump at the sound of Pop’s voice shouting as he comes charging through the door. “What the hell happened?”

I glare at him. Avery has balled herself up into my lap, drawing her knees up to her chest. His shouting at her isn’t helping the situation, but I’m not moving from this spot to settle his ass down either.

Thankfully, Caleb sees what I do and grabs Pop by the shoulder. They exchange a look. I’ve seen that look before. It’s the one that says shut your ass up before I do it for you. Pop takes a deep breath, settling himself down.

Avery’s shaking against my body. Gabe lifts the throw blanket from the trunk at the foot of my bed and covers her up. He kneels beside my bed, placing his hand on Avery’s knee. She jumps at his touch. He scowls, looking at me for answers. I shrug, and he moves his hand away.

I feel for him. He must want nothing more than to comfort her, and she has no idea what lengths he would go through to do it, but she’s too scared to trust anyone. I look up and catch Caleb watching us. He nods at me, nudging me.

“She trusts you.” He mouths.

I nod.

“Avery?” I coax her, but she still won’t look at me. “Avery?” I try again. She stirs in my arms but won’t open her eyes. I place my palm on her cheek, pulling her slightly away from my body. Her eyes remain tightly shut. “Hey, look at me Angel.” She sighs at the nickname I’ve given her, recognizing my voice this time. She takes a couple of deep breaths, then slowly pulls away from my body and looks at me.

Her breathing is not yet entirely under control. I can feel her heart thumping, see it pulsing in the vein in her neck. “It’s ok, Angel. Breathe. Look at me. Take a breath when I do. Breathe with me.” She does as I say, holding my eyes with hers and following me breath for breath. “That’s it.” I praise.

After a couple of minutes, she’s calmed herself down. She looks around the room, and little by little, acknowledges the other men who are with us. She releases my shirt but makes no move to leave my lap, which is good because I’m not letting her up anyway. I need to feel her close to me.

“What happened back there? Did someone hurt you?” I’m tense, trying to keep the rage within me from spilling out with every word. She turns her gaze back to meet mine, looking at me suspiciously. “We need to know what happened, baby.” I don’t miss the low growl from Gabe and the soft chuckle from Caleb.

Avery goes to speak, but she makes eye contact with Pop, and clamps her mouth shut

and nestles her head in the crook of my neck.

Caleb clears his throat, tipping his head toward Pop. Gabe sees it, then signals me to try again.

“Avery, did one of the brothers do something to hurt you?” She shakes her head no, but still doesn’t move her body away from mine. “Did the asshat who was dancing with you do something? Did he touch you in some way you didn’t like?” You’d think there was a pack of bears in my here with the unanimous growl filling the room.

She shakes her head again.

I don’t know why she’s afraid to speak, but it’s clear by her actions she is and I’m going to respect her.

For now.

I make eye contact with Caleb and nudge my head toward Gabe and Pop. Caleb gets what I’m trying to say and calls them to come talk to him.

The three men gather near the door talking among themselves quietly, but not quietly enough that I can’t hear them. I stay where I am, gently dragging my fingers through Avery’s hair. Her breathing has slowed, and her body has become heavier against mine, letting me know I’m soothing her enough to relax a little at least.

“I don’t think he did anything wrong. The girls were dancing with everyone out there. I think he just startled her when he tried to turn her to face him. Sadie said he put his hand on her waist and Avery froze.” Pop said.

“She didn’t just freeze, Mack. She went into a full panic attack. Like something triggered her.”

Avery wiggles in my lap, shrinking into me further. I don’t see how it could even be possible, but she’s trying. I pull the blanket up tighter around her body.

“Are you cold Angel?” I keep my voice low. She shakes her head no and I plant a kiss on top of it.

There’s a commotion outside the room coming down the hall. Boots stomping and voices shouting at each other as they get closer and closer to my room. The door is closed, but whoever it is seems to be on a mission.

“I don’t give a shit what you say! Go back to your flavor of the night and let me see my girl! You and your asshole friends have done enough tonight, don’t you think?” I hear Sadie shouting outside the door.

“God damn it, woman!” Hawk roars at her. They’re loud enough now they must be right outside the door. Avery lifts her head at the sound of Sadie and Hawk shouting at each other.

“Don’t you dare woman me! We brought her here because she was supposed to be safe among the brothers! So far, all you’ve idiots have managed to do is hurt her—repeatedly. The whole fucking lot of you. So, forgive me Nathaniel, if I don’t believe you’re the ones who should take care of my best friend right now.” Her voice sounds strained, erratic and emotional. Avery sits quiet but listens very intently, as do the rest of us.

“Just open the door and let me see her, please.” She practically begs.

Avery moves off my chest long enough to look me in the eyes. With a subtle nod, she asks without saying a word.

“You want Sadie in here with you?” Avery nods again. I ask Caleb to open the door, and Avery puts her head back in the crook of my neck.

Sadie must’ve been about to knock when Caleb opens the door to find her hand raised. He grabs her and pulls her to him in a bear hug, whispering something in her ear. She nods against his chest, sniffling. Caleb kisses the top of her head and holds her there for a minute. Pop watches their interaction, but doesn’t move from his spot. I tamp down my anger for the moment, keeping in mind the beautiful girl who is currently balled up in my lap.

Sadie’s right. We’ve gone about this all wrong. Avery never should’ve been kept a secret. She should’ve known who her family is and been allowed to be a part of their lives. Then maybe she would trust us enough to tell us what the hell is going on with her now.

Sadie turns her head in our direction but doesn’t move out of Caleb’s hold. “Aves, are you okay now? You want me to kick all these jerks out of here so we can talk privately?”

Over my dead body.

“It’s my room, sweetheart. If anyone is going to be kicking people out, it will be me.” Sadie sticks her tongue out and I feel Avery chuckle softly against me.

Hawk stands in the doorway watching their interactions. Avery meets his gaze, and lets out a small sad smile, then shrugs her shoulders. Hawk returns her smile. Avery looks back at me and whispers, “Can we get out of here, please?”

It’s the first words she’s spoken since saying my name. She’s not comfortable with everything happening here, and to be honest, neither am I. She’s not going to speak freely here, but I need to find out what happened. If taking her out of here will get me those answers, then that’s what I’m going to do.

Standing up with Avery in my arms, I don’t stop to ask permission or wait for orders. I head for the door. Hawk moves out of my way, tipping his chin. “I’m taking her home to get some rest. We’ll talk about this more in the morning.”

“Now wait just a fucking minute!” Gabe shouts, causing Avery to jump, pressing her head deeper into the crook of my neck. I glare at him. He’s my president, but it doesn’t stop me from wanting to knock his ass out for scaring her again.

Caleb sees her reaction and grips Gabe by the shoulder. “Let them go, son. She’s terrified, and she’s tired. Let him get her away from here and calm her down a bit. I’m sure she’ll talk when she’s ready.” He coaxes.

Gabe and Pop are not happy with this plan, but I don’t give a fuck. They follow us out to the parking lot. I set Avery down next to Pop’s SUV and grab the keys out of my pocket.

“I’ll bring it back in the morning.” He nods and takes the keys from me, opening the passenger door. I load my Angel into the car, wrap the blanket around her, then fasten her seatbelt. I caress her cheek with my hand and watch her face as she leans into my touch, making something in my chest feel warm. I give her a kiss on the forehead, close the door, and make my way around to the driver’s door. Gabe tells me he’s calling church tomorrow at noon, which gives me plenty of time to take care of my girl.

My girl.

She heard you. She doesn’t want to be your girl.

Too bad.

She’ll get over it when I explain why I was being an ass. She’ll learn soon enough—she’s mine.

She needs me. Truth is, I need her too.

“Where are we going Jake?” she asks softly. Her voice is still filled with worry.

“Just like I said, I’m taking you home.” Her eyes widen and a ghost of panic flitters across her features. I reach over and take her hand in mine, reassuring her.

“We’re going to my house. You’ll stay with me tonight. No one will bother us there.” Avery settles into her seat and closes her eyes.

She fell asleep shortly after we left the clubhouse.

I pull up to my house and park. I make quick work of getting out and getting to her door. She opens the door for me, and I release her seatbelt, then lift her in my arms.

She’s exhausted from all the stress. I cradle her closer to my chest and kick the door closed with my boot. She stirs for a second, then looks up at me, startled.

“Put me down, Jake. I can walk.” She’s cute, trying to sound like her usual stubborn self, but the sleepiness in her voice betrays her. I smile down at her, kissing her forehead and continue walking as if I didn’t hear her.

Once we get into the house, I carry her into my bedroom and set her on the bed. She folds her legs up under herself, immediately looking uncomfortable.

“Wait here.” I move to my dresser and find her one of my T-shirts and a pair of sweatpants. They’ll probably swallow her, but I don’t want to leave her to get her some of Jayde’s things. Besides, I like the thought of her wearing my clothes. “Here. The shower is right through there. I’ll fix us something to drink. Did you eat anything?”

She nods her head yes. “I ate earlier. I’m fine, thank you.” She stands and heads into the bathroom. “Jake.” She stops at the door but doesn’t turn around. “Thank you for … everything.”

I watch as she disappears into the bathroom, closing the door behind her, wishing I had followed her. I wait until I hear the water running before leaving the room.

Now that I’m thinking about it, her reaction was too strong to have been as simple as someone getting handsy with her. Avery hasn’t had a problem putting any of us in our place when she’s felt we’ve overstepped. She’s always quick on her feet with her attitude and stubbornness. I even told her to come find me if something bothered her.

She was mad at you, asshole.

But why did she drop to the ground and cower?

It’s almost like she didn’t know where she was. Did something trigger a memory? If that’s it, I need to know what the fuck she was remembering and who I need to bury for terrifying my girl.

After the way she clung to me, I know she still trusts me to take care of her, so why didn’t she come to me? Maybe the guy dancing with her didn’t hurt her, maybe he caught her off guard?

But something’s still not adding up.

I’m racking my brain, going over every detail of the evening I can remember. I was watching her swing her sexy ass around the dance floor, her arms up in the air with not a care in the world. She was happy. Like she forgot she was at the clubhouse all together, just having a good time with her friends in her own little slice of the world.

She was killing me the way she ran her hands up and down her body, swinging her hair around and moving her hips to the beat. My cock clearly remembers every torturous movement of her body tonight. Rehashing the memories of her is only making things harder for me. Literally .

I hear the water turn off and gather the tea I’ve made, some sugar, honey, milk, and a spoon, and place it on a lap tray. Walking into the bedroom trying like hell not to spill the tray, I nearly lose the battle when I catch sight of Avery.

My Angel is laying on my bed, curled toward the window, facing away from me. Her wet hair splayed on the pillow. My black T-shirt is draped around her body. She doesn’t move to look at me, but I know she’s awake.

I place the tray on the dresser. “You want some tea? I didn’t know what you like, so I brought all the sugar and shit just in case.”

When I turn around, she’s rolled over, facing me. Her red-rimmed eyes are puffy and swollen.

“No, thank you.” She answers softly.

I reach up to take my T-shirt off and toss it to the floor. Her eyes widen in shock. She’s not scared of me, but she still seems hesitant about the situation.

“Nothing’s going to happen, baby. I’m just getting ready for bed.” She turns back over, facing away from me again. I hate she’s hiding from me, but I get it. She’s had one hell of a night.

I remind my dick to calm the fuck down. This isn’t his time to shine. Easier said than done while she’s laying here in nothing but my shirt.

I crawl into the bed and lay down beside her. She flinches at the sudden movement. “Come here, Angel.” Her body becomes tense. I whisper into her ear, “I just want to hold you while you sleep. Is that ok with you?” She immediately relaxes, turning to face me. She lays her head in the crook of my arm, her hand lazily tracing the tattoos on my chest and arm. My hand instantly goes to stroking her hair like it has a mind of its own.

She hums a contented sound and settles even further into me. “Sleep baby. I’ve got you.” She lifts her leg over mine, making the hem of my shirt lift over her hip. I get the perfect view of the curve of her ass in the mirror above my bed. She hasn’t seen it yet, and right now I’m not sure if I should be thankful or pissed it’s up there.

God help me.

I reach down and begin caressing her thigh. Her breath hitches, but she doesn’t pull away or punch me in the cock, so I continue stroking her skin. She says nothing, and neither do I as I watch and wait for sleep to take her. Holding her close, I close my eyes and enjoy the feel of her body against mine and the sounds of her slow, steady breathing.