MC Sinners Boxed Set #1-7

SERENITY

“ S orry it smells so bad, Jackson is a pig when he wants to be. I’m almost sure the man doesn’t know how to do his own dishes, and don’t get me started on the laundry,” Addison says later that night, as she pulls some sheets off a spare bed.

We came back to Jackson’s house after a few hours at the compound. The house is old, and crappy, but inside it’s warm. It has a good feeling. Like there is a lot of love flowing around. It’s not dark. Addi showed me around quickly, before letting me choose a room. Now we’re tidying it up to make it more...livable.

“It’s ok, I’m grateful,” I say, handing her the pair of clean sheets.

She flashes me a smile, before throwing the sheets onto the bed. We both tuck the corners in, before straightening out the blanket over top.

“It’s safe here, and Jackson is usually home by midnight, so he’s here too.”

“He said he’s barely home,” I say.

She shrugs. “He’s not, but he always makes sure to come home for the night. He likes to make sure I’m safe.”

I nod. “Thank you, for this...”

She gives me a gentle expression. “I’ve been in your shoes; I know how it feels to be trapped. I’m glad you have somewhere safe to stay while you figure it all out.”

God, why do they have to be so nice? I wrap my arms around my stomach again and nod, forcing a smile.

She gives me a gentle smile, before reaching down to grip her phone and keys. “I’m going to whip down to the store to get something for supper. Anything you don’t eat?”

“Anything is fine,” I smile weakly.

“Great, I’ll leave my cellphone number in case you need it. I won’t be long. Are you ok?”

I nod, and she gives me another smile before turning and rushing out. When I hear her car start up and drive away, I turn and lift my cell, dialing Hogan’s number and bringing it to my ear with trembling fingers. Bile is rising up and down in my throat, and I can’t seem to push it back. I swallow and swallow, doing the best I can to avoid throwing up all over Jackson’s room.

“You got anything?” Hogan barks as soon as he picks up.

I shudder, and close my eyes, taking a deep breath. “No, I haven’t even been here a day.”

“Don’t fuckin’ care, you get busy with it. I want information by Tuesday next week. You find a way to get outta there and get it to me. Phone is too risky.”

“I can’t just walk out,” I protest. “It’s too risky, they will get suspicious and it will blow the entire thing.”

“Listen to me, you little fuckin’ slut. I call the fuckin’ shots, and you do as I fuckin’ say. Know that sweet ass little girl of Janine’s you love so much...”

I gasp, my throat closing in. “Don’t, please.”

“Your friend wouldn’t be happy if her daughter went missing, and died, because of you...imagine what her old man will do to you, if he knows it’s your fault his daughter is dead...”

“You wouldn’t do that to one of your own men’s children, would you?” I rasp.

“Course I fuckin’ would. I would do it, and I would put it back on you. Don’t mess with me. You know I will bring you down, and I’ll do it fuckin’ hard.”

“Please, Hogan, I will do as you ask. Just leave them out of it.”

“Fuckin’ right you will. Find out when they’re going to hit us and how.”

“I-I-I think it’s the wrong club, they don’t seem...”

“What?” he roars, “you little fuckin’ slut. Don’t you fuckin’ question me. I know who fuckin’ blew my compound, and I know why. Those two fuckin’ clubs are goin’ down.”

“B-b-but...”

“Shut the fuck up, and do as you’re fuckin’ told or your friend’s kid goes for a swim...”

Oh God. The phone hangs up and I double over, gripping my stomach as tears stream down my battered face. I’m trapped. It doesn’t matter what I do. I can’t escape. He’s going to find a way to make me betray these people, and I’m likely to end up dead because of it. I won’t risk my best friend and her baby and he knows it. I would never put her in that position. I have no choice.

I have to stay.

~*~*~*~