MC Sinners Boxed Set #1-7

~CHAPTER 12~ | SERENITY

~*CHAPTER 12*~

SERENITY

“ A re you ok?” Janine asks that afternoon when I get to Hogan’s compound.

I peer around the room, making sure no one is listening, before leaning in and whispering, “I’m ok, sorry I hung up on you the other night.”

“I was worried about you.”

“I know,” I say, my voice full of sympathy. “I’m sorry.”

“Did you decide what you’re going to do?”

I close my eyes, pushing the image of Jackson’s smiling face from my mind. “I can’t betray them; I just don’t know how I’m supposed to get out of this easily.”

“What are you going to tell Hogan today?”

“I’m going to lie about the security, it’s the best I can do.”

She looks concerned. “He’s going to want more, honey.”

“I know,” I say, feeling my body tighten with fear. “But I don’t know what to give him.”

“What about a fake ride? If he thinks they’re going out of town, it might buy you a few days to break it to them.”

“And when he finds out they didn’t go...”

“You’ll be under the protection of them, it won’t matter.”

“It will matter, because I can’t see them helping me when they find out.”

Janine looks concerned for me, and I know why, but I can’t explain it to her. If Hogan finds out I’m lying, she gets hurt. If Jackson finds out what I’m doing, I lose him. If I do as Hogan asks, Jackson could likely die. I know I have to tell Jackson, out of all my options, it’s the best one. I have to be smart. I have to tell him and help them organize a way to bring Hogan down. It’s the only way to keep Janine and Ebony safe.

“I think lying is your best option right now, regardless.”

“Serenity!”

I hear Hogan’s booming voice, and I tense. I feel my throat tighten, and I lean over, gripping Janine’s arms and leaning in to whisper, “Take care of yourself, but promise me you’ll take extra care of Ebony. Watch that little girl, just promise you’ll watch her.”

Janine’s eyes grow suspicious, and I’d so desperately love to tell her that Hogan is using her, but it would only end badly for all of us. I don’t know what Hogan would do if I caused that kind of drama. “What’s going on?” she whispers. “Is Eb’s in danger?”

“Serenity, get your fuckin’ ass here!”

“Just take care of her please. I love you.”

She nods, eyes wide, and then turns and rushes off. I turn slowly, to see Hogan storming towards me, his eyes wild with rage and something else...it’s probably drugs. Hogan and the club run a lot of drugs. It wouldn’t surprise me if he’s off his rocker on something.

“Where the fuck have you been?” he bellows.

I shake my head in confusion. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, I said I’d be back, and here I am.”

When he reaches me, his hand lashes out and he grips my arm so tightly I wince.

“I told you to be here two hours ago!”

He didn’t, but I’m not going to argue.

“I’m sorry, it’s not easy to get out.”

“They suspicious?” he snarls.

“No, but they are getting suspicious about how I’m continually coming back hurt.”

He lets me go, and for a moment, I whisper a sweet thank you to whoever let that line actually work. I didn’t know if it would, but by the look on his face, it’s making sense in his brain-dead skull. He clenches his fists, and his grey eyes narrow. “What have you got for me?”

“I have security information, and their next ride.”

“Spill it, now,” he barks.

I feed him a string of lies about the security system, guards, and when their next ride is. I know I’m sending him on a wild goose chase, because I know he’ll follow them for information. It’s a risk, but I don’t know what else I can do. I have to protect Jackson, but at the same time I have to protect Ebony. This is the only way I can do both. For now anyway.

“You find out where Spike and Jackson are going to be.”

“Why Spike?” I whisper.

“Spike’s the fucker who ordered that attack!” he snarls.

“Then why are you going after Jackson?” I blurt.

He lashes out, gripping my throat. I gasp, and begin squirming desperately. “Because Jackson was part of it. I want both them fuckin’ clubs down. I sent you to Jackson, because Spike’s club is merging with his, and he’s going to be the one that runs it. Plus, he’s a fucking pussy. I knew he’d fall for your little bullshit act.”

He’s so wrong. So wrong.

Jackson is not a pussy.

Hogan drops me, and I land on the floor with a gasp. I reach up, going for my throat and rubbing it frantically. I take a few deep breaths, trying to fill my lungs as much as possible. Hogan reaches down, gripping my shoulder and hurling me up. So much for not sending me back hurt. He shoves me against a wall, pressing his fingers into my skin and causing a strangled, pained gurgle to leave my throat.

“You find out who is stayin’ behind and who is goin’ for that ride. I want to know where Jackson and Spike are. I want to know when they plan on bein’ together, and I want to know how I can get in to kill the fuckers. I want the information in the next two weeks. You got me?”

“I...”

“Do you want that fuckin’ kid dead?” he hisses, lifting me off the wall, and slamming me backwards.

“I understand, I will do it,” I whisper.

“Good, get the fuck outta my club.”

I stumble forwards when he lets me go, and I hobble out of the club. I pass a few of the members, who grin at me and reach out. Slapping their hands away, I hurry towards the front gates. My head is spinning, my throat burns, and my heart aches. I don’t know how to escape this one. I feel like I’m trapped no matter what I do right now. Someone is going to get hurt. It doesn’t matter how I play it out. How do I choose who to hurt? I can’t, I can’t do it. I could warn Janine away, but if Hogan found out, he’d likely hunt her down and make it worse. Besides, she can’t just escape her husband, and her husband is tied closely with Hogan.

There’s no escape for her.

Jackson is the only option I have. I have to tell him. I have to crush him and break his heart. I have to betray him and make everything we shared seem like it was nothing but a big joke. He’s the only chance I have of keeping everyone safe. Jackson is smart enough to outsmart Hogan, and he’s good enough to end him and keep Janine and Ebony safe. But telling Jackson means I lose him. And if I lose him, I lose a part of myself.

Because he’s all I have left.