Jake’s Angel (King’s Of Fury MC #2)

Chapter 29

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

JAKE

Driving Avery back to Liz’s house was frustrating, to say the least. After showering, she put on a pair of Jayde's denim cutoffs and a gray T-shirt. She couldn’t get to the car fast enough. She hasn’t said a word to me since she left me sitting on the couch. It’s like a switch flipped and she’s back to hating me again.

She stared out the window the whole ride and wouldn’t give me more than one-word answers when I spoke to her. When I asked her what was bothering her, she said, “Nothing.” When I asked if I said or did something to upset her, she said no. She sat there with her hands folded in her lap, staring at the passing trees, turning colder and colder toward me.

I don’t get it.

I thought last night she had warmed up to me a bit. She seemed to find comfort in my touch and let me hold her while she told me about what happened to her. Hell, I thought the fact I stayed and comforted her and not tracked down the sick bastard was saying something. Although I will be addressing the shit in church today.

When I tickled her and pinned her on the couch, I know she was feeling what I was because her breathing picked up, same as mine. The way her breath hitched and her legs trembled at my touch as I lifted my shirt off her to see her scars, I know she was turned on. Hell, I could smell her arousal, and it took all my restraint not to drag her down onto my lap and have her right then and there.

But it’s not what she needs from me.

She’s not a quick-fuck kind of girl. She needs someone to be gentle with her. To worship her. With the heaviness of last night’s confessions, I didn’t feel like it was the right time.

No time is a good time. She’s Gabe’s daughter. A walking death wish to any brother, going after the President’s daughter, and yet I still don’t care. She’s mine. He’ll just have to get used to the idea.

We pull up into Liz’s driveway. Avery flings her door open before the car comes to a complete stop, then slams it shut. I don’t know what the hell has gotten into her, but I’m about to find out. I throw the car in park, jump out, and catch her by the elbow, turning her to face me. She’s glaring at me, her chest heaving, but still not talking.

“You want to tell me what the hell happened back there that has you so pissed off?” I ask, having a hell of a time reigning in my own temper. I know she’s probably a little freaked out about everything she told me last night, but I’ve done nothing to make her angry at me.

Have I?

“I’m fine. You can let me go and leave to tend to your other duties now .” She hisses.

What the hell?

“You’re not fine, and you need to start talking,” I growl back. She pulls her arm out of my grasp and takes two steps back.

“There’s nothing to say. I’m fine. You can go tell Gabe you’ve done your job for the night.” She looks at me for a split second, her eyes glistening like she’s about to cry. “Thanks, for you know, for taking care of me, but I’m all good now.” Her voice trembles as she turns away from me and starts walking toward the house.

“Avery.”

Turning back, she shouts over her shoulder, “Just go, Jake. You don’t want to be late for church.” She walks into the house and away from me.

I’m about to follow her in when Sadie comes bursting through the door. “What the hell did you do to her, Jacob MacKenzie?” Sadie shouts from the porch.

Just what I need.

“I haven’t done anything. Why don’t you go ask your friend in there? Since I don’t even know what the hell her problem is. Everything was fine this morning, and then all the sudden she’s like this.” I throw my arms out gesturing at the screen door where Avery has stormed off through.

Sadie studies me for a minute, then walks her way down the steps to meet me where I stand. “What happened last night? Did she talk to you about it?” she asks quietly. I nod, but don’t tell her exactly what was said.

Avery shared a piece of her soul with me last night, and I’m not about to share it with anyone. Maybe I’m being an ass about it all, especially if Sadie could be a help to her, but I can’t help but think last night was something special, albeit fucked-up in a way.

Avery didn’t have to tell me anything, yet she did. She didn’t have to show me anything and, judging by how terrified she was to expose herself, she wasn’t sure if she should. The fact remains, she did share with me. I will not break her trust by sharing it with anyone else.

“She told you.” Sadie looks at me, shock written all over her face. “She really told you what happened?”

“Nothing happened last night. Something triggered a bad memory,” I say.

“So, she told you about the memory ? What happened to her?”

She’s searching my face expectantly. I say nothing, standing there staring back at her.

She must understand what I’m saying without saying anything, because the next thing I know, she slams into my chest and wraps her arms around my waist, trapping me in one of the strongest hugs I’ve ever felt. I wrap my arms around her and hold her tight to me.

What the hell is this now?

Sadie’s quietly sniffling. I lean back, pulling her away from my body and search her face.

What is it with these women today? Are they all hormonal or some shit because they all seem extra emotional, and I don’t know what the fuck I’m supposed to do with this .

“Hey. What’s all this about?”

Sadie pulls back, wiping her face and looking up at the sky. “I’m sorry,” she whispers. “It’s just, I’ve been waiting for her to tell someone. Anyone who could do something to help her get out of this mess, but she refused to talk to anyone about it. At least now you know why she hates being called Princess and gives attitude whenever someone says it. It’s all because of the stupid fucker, and what he did to her.”

I’m so confused, but don’t ask questions. Sadie’s on a roll and I need to know what Avery isn’t telling me.

We walk toward the end of the long driveway, away from the front porch. Sadie leans against the hood of Jayde’s car and begins to spill everything.

“She called me that night to come get her. She was crying so bad I could barely make out what she was saying. She asked me to bring her some clean clothes and a first aid kit. When I got to the studio, she was curled up in a ball in the backseat of her car, hiding. Her clothes were torn to shit, face and body marked with cuts, bruises, and burn marks. I wanted to call Uncle Mack, but she made me promise not to.”

Sadie looks down at the ground, digging her toe into the dirt. “I helped her put on the clean clothes, cleaned up her face. We went back into the dance studio and were able to get some gauze and bandages from their first aid kit. I helped her cover what I could and put Neosporin on her cuts and burns. When I asked what happened and who did it, she wouldn’t say. She asked me not to take her back home.”

Sadie glances up at me.

“I drove her back to our place so I could keep an eye on her. I was able to get her cuts stitched up and bandaged properly at the house. While she slept on my bed, I hacked into the security cameras at the studio, hoping I could find the bastards who hurt her. The camera feed was useless. I couldn’t see their faces, just shadows. Once they dragged her to the corner of the lot, the cameras lost visual. I erased the recording and made it appear as if the cameras glitched on and off for several hours so they would think it was a faulty piece of equipment.” She takes several deep breaths, tears still slowly flowing over her cheeks.

I don’t ask how she knows how to stitch up a cut. She’s been around here long enough. I’m sure she’s learned a few things she wouldn’t in a classroom.

“I took her home the next morning. When we told Eleanor that Avery had been mugged, do you know what her response was?” She chuckles softly. “She was pissed about her staying at my house and not coming home in time to have breakfast with the Whittmores.”

“She didn’t care Avery was hurt?”

“Not even a little—at first, anyway. She changed her tune when Rosa came into the room and started fussing over Avery. Then Eleanor made it seem like she was the concerned grandmother.” Sadie chuckles to herself, shaking her head.

“We had already started planning her escape from the bitch’s lair. She was leaving after graduation, but Eleanor’s reaction sped up the planning process. Eleanor called Uncle Mack and Russ. They came straight home from their business trip. Avery stuck to her story about being mugged. Mack made her go to the hospital, but she still didn’t answer questions, claiming she didn’t remember. I’m sure Mack knew we were both full of shit, but he didn’t push the issue.”

“Why didn’t you tell Pop the truth if you knew she wasn’t mugged?”

“She came to me for help and begged me not to tell anyone anything. I knew something happened, but she wouldn’t tell me the complete story. She didn’t tell me the truth until about three weeks ago. We were at a party hosted at the country club for the senior graduating class. Neither of us wanted to be there, but it was better than being in class. Even if it was the devil woman’s country club.” She shrugs.

“It was the usual crowds of plastic bitches and arrogant pricks. We kept to ourselves, laughing at people like usual. Everything seemed fine until she got a text. I don’t know who it was. I just know she shut down instantly. Her face went pale, her hands began shaking, and she wouldn’t answer me when I called her name. Same thing that happened to her last night, only she didn’t hit the floor. Probably because she was already sitting at the table. She was having a panic attack.”

“Or a flashback. That’s what happened last night. Something about the guy she was dancing with triggered a memory and she shut down. Trapped in the flashback.” Sadie’s eyes are wide, staring at me. Understanding what I’m telling her, her face sobers, and she continues with her story.

“I took Avery by the hand and got her out of the country club as fast as I could. Once I got her outside, she asked me to take her anywhere but home. So, we hopped in Loretta and drove toward Big Rock. On the drive there, she told me what had really happened. What he had done to her. How he purchased her from someone. He was biding his time until he would come back and finish what he started. I knew I had to move up our plans to get her out of there.”

“What the fuck? What do you mean, purchased her? From who?” Sadie shrugs. I’m ready to tear someone’s fucking head off.

“He promised to break her, torture her until she submits to him completely. She said he offered to let his men have a turn if there was enough left of her after he was done.”

I’m like a goddamn caged animal. The more she speaks, the angrier I become. I want to kill this motherfucker with my bare hands.

“I got her a few self-defense lessons over the last couple of weeks before we left, but with Eleanor keeping her so damn busy planning for graduation, she didn’t learn much. I gave her the gun and taught her how to shoot it. I told Mack it was because she was uncomfortable around his men with guns. I had to give her something to protect herself,” Sadie says with conviction.

“Avery doesn’t trust anyone, not even Uncle Mack, to help her. He’s loyal to his job. She thinks he’s going to take her back when everything here is figured out. She won’t go back. I’ll make sure of it.”

“Does she think Russ and Pop are part of what happened to her? You and I both know there’s no fucking way Pop would have any part of this.”

“All I know is Mack’s loyal to his job and to Russ.” She looks to the ground again, then whispers, “He’s the one who hired Chuck. I don’t know what all he did to her, but those bruises on her arm, they weren’t the first ones I’ve seen.”

Christ.

“You think Russ sold her? You really believe that?” It doesn’t seem possible after how hard he and Gabe have worked to keep her hidden all this time, but then again, Cusenza is a powerful man. Men like him could make anyone do his bidding if the debt owed is high enough.

Fuck!

“I don’t think Russ would, but as shitty as it may sound, I can’t say for certain. I do know if it was him, then he did a hell of a job playing the outraged grandfather after he heard she had been mugged.” Sadie looks away, letting out a deep breath before looking back at me and says, “She’s been through a lot of shit over the years. I don’t know all of it. I only know the things I’ve seen and heard. Things she’s let slip out in conversation, but swore me not to tell anyone else.” Tears stream down Sadie’s face. “I didn’t want to keep her secrets, but I was the only person she could turn to for help. I’m the only person she could trust, so I did what I had to do. You understand?” Pulling her to me, placing her head on my shoulder, I reassure her.

“Yeah, I get it. You did good by bringing her here. We’ll figure this shit out.”

“Did I? Because right now, everything so far seems to just be making things worse for her.” I can’t argue with her. Knowing I’m the cause of more pain for Avery, though I still don’t know why, is eating at me.

“I don’t think Russ knows. I find it hard to believe he has anything to do with any of this. Especially since her primary concern has been a threat being made to Russ. But if she told you…”

Sadie grabs onto my shirt, twisting it in her hands, forcing my gaze to meet hers. “Then she trusts you. If she told you, then you can tell the rest of the club. You guys will keep her safe, right?” she asks, begging, as if she thought I was going to say no.

“Sadie, do you have any idea of anyone else who would want to hurt her?” She narrows her eyes, hesitating for a moment. “If you think you know who it was, if you can give me a name, I’ll make sure the Kings handle it. You understand what I’m telling you?” She stares at me with wide eyes. A momentary look of relief crosses her face and fades just as quickly.

“I wish I did. Believe me, I would have no problem telling you. Avery was highly sought after by every guy in town and hated by every girl because she’s a West. It could be any number of people. I tried to get her to tell me, but she refused. She was afraid I would track the bastard down and fuck with him somehow.” She shrugs.

Smart move, Angel.

“She’s right. You would’ve.” I smile down at her, letting her see the pride I feel for her.

“Damn right I would! It would’ve been worth it, even if I get caught. The son of a bitch deserves everything I could do to him and more for what he did to her,” she grunts, poking her finger into my chest. “I only wish she would’ve told Uncle Mack when it happened, so he could’ve delved out his special brand of punishment.” She mumbles. I can’t stop my smile because I know exactly what she means. Pop has a crazy streak a mile wide, but he only lets it show when he’s in the basement with its soundproof walls and special brand of tools.

I don’t disagree with Sadie, but Avery was right to keep the information from her. Although she could do some serious damage to a person with just a keyboard and a modem, Avery’s shown another example of just how loyal she is to Sadie and her safety. We don’t know who we are dealing with or how far their reach is. We know Cusenza wants the freight company and who knows what else from Russ, but it doesn’t mean he’s the only player on the board. Sadie digging into his business would definitely not go unpunished if he found out.

“Think long and hard for me, Sadie Jay. Is there anyone you can think of who would want to hurt her?” Before she has a chance to answer, we’re interrupted by the sounds of my brothers pulling up the gravel on their bikes. Hawk, Austin, and Blake, followed by Declan who’s driving his cage, pull up and park beside us. We start making our way back up the driveway toward the house as Hawk saunters over, leaning his arm on my shoulder.

“What do you say, Sadie Jay?” he says, pulling his sunglasses halfway down his nose while he takes her in from head to toe.

“How about fuck off and die?” Sadie replies. Her entire mood changing on a dime. Hawk smiles but doesn’t let her smartass come back to deter him.

“Ah, come on now, sweetheart, don’t be like that. We all had a rough night. You can’t still be mad at me for yelling at you. We were all a little high-strung,” he says in his southern drawl. Most women fall for it, but not Sadie. She storms toward the house, flipping the bird over her shoulder.

“How’s Avery doing? Is she ok?” Changing everyone’s focus to me, Hawk pushes his glasses back into place, brushing off whatever shit he has with Sadie.

“Well, I thought she was. She told me some shit last night we need to discuss in church. I thought we got some things worked out, but now she’s pissed off and acting cold as ice again.” I blow out a frustrated breath.

“Well, did you ask her what was wrong? Demand she tell you what you did?” Hawk asks chuckling like I’m too stupid to come up with the idea on my own.

Asshole.

“Yeah, and all I got was a fine.”

“Oh shit! Freaked out. Insecure. Neurotic and emotional. That is not good, brother.” Hawk says, rubbing my shoulders.

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“Haven’t you ever seen The Italian Job ? It’s a movie. The definition of fine?” He scoffs at me, disappointed. “It’s exactly the opposite of what your girl told you. She’s not fine, she’s freaking the hell out. My question is, why?” He pauses, taking a step back, then eyes me suspiciously. “Did you fuck her?” he asks in a quiet but serious tone.

“Are you out of your goddamned mind? Hell, no, I didn’t fuck her !” I shout. We hear the screen door slam and I’m hoping it was the breeze. We both turn around at the noise but find there’s no one there.

Thank God. “We need to get to church.”

I’m still not sure why she’s freaked out and pissed off at me, but as soon as we’re done with church, I have every intention of making her tell me.