“Now I know who, you want to tell me why?”
“Why?” she chirped with confusion.
“Why you didn’t tell us. I know you were protecting everyone. I just want to know how he made you feel that was a necessity.”
She closed her eyes as two fat tears broke free and slid down her cheeks. “I was so scared anyway, Ayda, but before I ran the first time, he promised that if I told someone, he would hurt the twins, and I thought, how’s he going to do that? But then, under the bleachers… he said he had the power to hurt everyone I loved, including Tate and the precious MC. He said he would unleash Hell and it would all be my fault.”
I knew what hid under those words. I understood what the threat meant, but I could also see that Sloane had no real idea. She was just scared.
“What did you think he meant?”
“I didn’t know. It was the way he said it. The way his eyes went all empty like he would actually enjoy hurting everyone. I couldn’t shake the feeling that he had that power. Then there was Tate and the football. If he found out it was Jacob, Tate would quit the team. He wouldn’t get a scholarship if he quit, and then the twins… so small and helpless. If we lost them, I would lose Dad, too. You saw what he was like after Maisey, after my…”
She trailed off, and her words were replaced with sobs. Jacob had effectively silenced her by using her past tragedies and base fears. He was more of a low life than even I could have imagined. Then again, I already knew that, didn’t I? He had tried to rape her. He’d used the school as a hunting ground for his own sick pleasure.
As I pulled Sloane against me, I hugged her tight and wished, for just a moment, that Drew had the opportunity to really hurt Jacob. I hope he broke him. I never thought I would ever feel that way, but once again, Jacob had to be the exception.
Chapter Thirty-Five
DREW
My mind was pacing like a lion in a cage, waiting to give me the signal to strike. Every breath I inhaled was like fuel to my rage as I tried to control my emotions. The second I’d stepped outside, Slater told me that Sutton had flown off just moments before with his blue and reds flashing as the station had radioed him saying he was needed urgently.
Just our fucking luck.
I didn’t have time to wait.
Jacob had to pay…
Now.
I was leaning over my bike, one arm resting over the handles while the other was resting its elbow on the seat as I combed the scruff on my chin with my fingers. Bent over, I could control my breathing more. My thoughts, however, were fucked.
Deeks soon appeared through the door of the diner, guiding an agitated Jacob out into the cool night air with as much force as he could get away with. Deeks wasn’t an angry person by nature. Causing people pain wasn’t his default setting like it was mine, but right then with that little piece of Babylon scum in his grip, he looked like he could do someserious damage.
When our eyes met, Deeks released Jacob at the top of the steps and gave me a nod. Jacob turned back to face him, his body swaying as the balls of his feet balanced on the edge.
“Why would anyone want to see your bike, old man?” he sneered.
Deeks hooked his thumbs into the belt loops of his jeans and shrugged casually. “Just trying to be friendly.” He smirked.
Jacob swayed some more. “Newsflash. You Hounds can try to become a part of Babylon, and you might believe it’s happening now and then, but the reality is that no one round here likes any of you. No one wants the MC to be a part of this neighborhood any more than we want the fucking mafia.” He pointed a finger in Deeks’ face, his body rolling forward. “And I’m going to make sure you’re all gone soon enough.”
Deeks stared Jacob in the eye, and I saw his next move playing out in his eyes before he reached out and pressed a single finger to Jacob’s chest, applying the smallest amount of pressure that sent him toppling down the stairs in a heap. Jacob rolled back, his neck and spine bending as he curled over on himself and fell in a heap at the bottom of the steps.
The entire parking lot erupted into laughter, while I straightened myself up and began to walk backward, disappearing into the shadows where no one could see me, but I could see them.
Come closer, you son of a bitch.
Jacob stood on shaky legs, his beer bottle now smashed at his feet and crunching beneath his boots as he straightened himself up. I had to give the kid his due… he had balls. A whole pack of Hounds was staring at him, laughing, and offering him a silent challenge to start something he most definitely wouldn’t be able to finish. He should have been cowering. Instead, he raised his chin defiantly, dusted off his shoulders and scoffed at their intimidation.
“Laugh it up, Hounds. You won’t be around soon.”
“Oh, yeah?” Slater asked as he took a controlled step closer, his brow raised.
“You’ll see,” Jacob sneered before he turned on his heels and began to walk away from them all, flipping them the bird over his shoulder as he went. “Lame ass party fucking sucked anyway.”
I didn’t know if Slater had seen me in the shadows, hiding on the edge of the corner behind Rusty’s, but his eyes seemed to turn in my direction, and I swear I saw a hint of ago for itin his half smile.
