Oh well, it is what it is.
We don’t speak as we make our way back to the clubhouse, but at every stoplight and stop sign, I put my hand on top of hers on my stomach and squeeze them, reassuring myself that she’s still there.
She’s out of there and away from him, at least for now.
When we get to the clubhouse, I find several of the brothers lingering outside. They all turn to watch as we get off the bike.
Jagger begins to clap, making us all look at him like he’s crazy.
“Congratulations on your first handcuff experience, Jane,” he says, making her giggle.
“Seriously?” I mutter as I put my arm around her shoulders.
Jagger shrugs. “You two were looking so serious. I couldn’t take it.” He turns to look at Jane and goes sober. “I’m glad you’re okay. Although I would like to know about that mark on your neck.”
Her hand drifts up, touching it lightly.
“I’m okay,” she rasps.
“Jane, Mac,” Smoke says, making us look his way.
He tips his head to the side, silently telling us to join him inside.
The brothers, Jane, and I shuffle inside.
“Here, Jackson called and told us your voice was rough, so I made you some tea,” Kelly says, holding out a cup.
“Thank you,” Jane tells her as she takes a seat on one of the couches.
We all sit down and turn to face her.
“Where are the kids?” she asks after taking a drink.
“Gunner and Sloane have them. They took them to the safe house and will stay there until this ends,” Smoke tells her.
Jane’s body deflates. “So he doesn’t have them?”
“No,” I tell her.
Her eyes flutter shut. “Thank God. I was so worried that they would go to the clubhouse and take them.”
“We wouldn’t let that happen,” Tank tells her.
“A mhuirnín, I need to know what happened to your neck.”
Jane looks at me and licks her bottom lip. Then she tells us about her whole jail cell experience. How that dick of a cop, Whitmore, let Evan assault her. The only reason he stopped was because Jackson showed up and finally convinced someone to let him see his client.
I squeeze my eyes shut, and my fist clenches on my knee.
Son of a bitch. He was in there with her, and there was nothing I could do about it. I was right there in the same fucking building, and I couldn’t stop it.
“Jane, you want Evan gone for good, right? You want to stop looking over your shoulder?” Smoke asks.
“Yes,” Jane says with no hesitation.
“We have an idea on how to get rid of him for good, but it would temporarily put you in danger,” Smoke tells her.
“Absolutely fucking not,” I hiss before she can say anything.
