“OKAY! Well, do you like Kade?”
I throw my head back. “I do. He’s a nice guy, but honestly, I can’t be with anyone seriously if I can’t get Jack out of my head.”
“You need to talk with Jack and put it all on the table. I don’t know how you’ll live together if you aren’t together, but you both like each other, and you’re both jealous. I fucking knew it.”
I lay my head on the table. “This is what I’m scared of.”
For the first time I have a home that I want to return to each night, and I’m terrified to ruin what Jack and I have. I hope I’m not too late.
CHAPTER 47
JACK
The second I enter the club, I scan the room for Sonny and Jessi. Dammit. Where are they? I decide to grab a beer at the bar, hoping they’ll come strolling in.
While trying to figure out what to do about Jessi, I spot Kade and his friend. I like Kade, but I swear if he brags about his date last night, I will lay that motherfucker out. I take a long pull of my beer as he stalks up to me. His hand is red and swollen.
“Hey, Jack,” he says. “How’s Jessi?”
I jump up. “Why is your hand busted up, and why are you asking how Jessi is? What the fuck did you do?”
He jumps back. “She didn’t tell you?”
I tower over him. “What are you talking about? Is she okay?”
Kade glances between me and his friend. “Maybe you should ask Jessi. It’s not my place to say anything. I don’t want her getting upset by telling her business.”
I grab his shirt collar and hiss, “You are a prospect for this club. If you ever want a chance at being a member, speak now.”
His eyes bounce to his friend and back to me. “Fine. We went to the movies with Sonny and Jessi. Everything was fine until the movie ended. Two guys came up. One said he was her brother. She said the other one tried to rape her. They were sayingfucked-up shit to her. Like that she slept with you—not that we believed it—but all sorts of bad shit about her. I had enough and knocked her brother out, then we left. She was upset and wanted to go home. We dropped her off. I haven’t heard from her since last night. She said she’d go out with me again, but I haven’t heard from her today. I wanted to make sure she was alright.”
I try to stay calm as I respond, though inside my body pumps itself up for action. “Thank you for telling me. Sorry for snapping at you. I’m on edge and haven’t spoken to Jessi either. I might need an alibi for tonight, because I’ll take care of this once and for all.”
Me
Where are you? Answer me.
Jessi
I just got home. Chill.
Me
Wait there. I’ll be there in ten. Do. Not. Leave.
“Jack, do you have a thing for Jessi? If so, I‘ll step aside,” Kade says.
“No. She’s far too young for me. However, you have no business dragging her into your shit. It puts her in danger, and you know it.”
“With all due respect, Jack, she’s already in. You dragged her in by getting her a job here. She has seen and heard shit, and you know it. I asked if you had a thing for her, not if you approved of me dating her. I don’t need or care for your approval. I respect you a hell of a lot, so if you’re interested, I have no issue stepping aside. But if you’re not, it doesn’t concern you.”
“Listen, you are both adults capable of making your own decisions, but if you fucking hurt her or she gets hurt becauseof you, I don’t give a flying fuck if you are a fully patched in member, I will kill you. Don’t be dumb enough to confuse that as a threat, because it’s a promise.”
I storm out of the club without waiting for a response.
Jessi has some explaining to do.
CHAPTER 48
