Jessi in the white dress flashes in my mind again. “Yeah, she’s my old lady. I’m gonna marry her.” What I don’t say isif she’ll have me, but he doesn’t need to know that part.
“Hmm,” Tim hedges.
My phone chirps with a video message.
The video shows the night Jessi and I were behind the club. Our bodies clashing, our lips exploring, our hands hungry for more.
A message beeps underneath the video:You think you can threaten us, but you will lose . . . and so will Jessi.
The color drains from my face. I don’t give a damn about me, but if this gets leaked, people will crucify Jessi, maybe me too. Not only do I not want her hurt and embarrassed by this, but no one gets to see her come except me. The decision is made. If they leak this, they will have signed their death warrants. Consequences be damned.
I show Tim the message, but I cover the photo with my hand.
“I am guessing by your face, you need that favor now,” says Tim.
I give him a curt nod.
Tim slides his phone from his jacket pocket and shoots off a text. “It’s done. Our debts are repaid. If anything, you owe me. I’ll take care of any pushback with the chapters. I’ll give one word of warning, though: They are fucking good at what they do. They won’t bow out easily. I hope you know what you’re up against.”
CHAPTER 63
JESSI
Sonny, Becky, and I prep for the gallery event together, swapping makeup and doing each other’s hair. This is nothing like hanging out with Rachel. She kept me at a distance, but Sonny and Becky treat me like I’m an old friend. They don’t judge me but support me without question, and I don’t have to work to earn their friendship or approval. It’s a joy I want to keep forever.
“There’ll be alcohol, right?” Sonny asks, chewing on her nails.
“Duh. It’s a party,” Becky says as she smooths on lip gloss.
“Right.”
Becky lowers the wand and eyes Sonny’s reflection in the bathroom mirror. “What’s wrong? You’re always around people at the club. This is no different. We’ll all be there, and you’re stunning. So why so nervous?”
“I hang out around the MC, not art galleries. I’ve never been to anything like this. What if I make a fool of myself or say something that makes everything awkward? Or trip over my heels?”
Becky and I wrap our arms around her in a three-person hug. “You’re intelligent, funny, and hot as the devil—especially in those heels,” Becky says.
“I think you might have to beat the men off you tonight,” I add.
Sonny reels back. “Really? You don’t think I look out of place?”
“Yes, really,” I continue. “It’s going to be fun, and you’ll be fine.”
“Thanks. Now can you get out of here so I can spray my hairdo without blinding you two?”
We laugh and head to the patio to wait for her.
Becky nudges me as we stare at the stars. “My brother really seems happy when he’s with you,” she says. “I’ve never seen him like this. I knew about Natasha, simply because she thought I was a threat. She was a total bitch, until she finally figured out I was Jack’s sister. Still, other than her, he’s never mentioned anyone else.” She pauses. “He never even introduced her to me. It wasn’t anything remotely serious.”
I study her body language. No tension. “What about when you stayed with Jack?”
“Nope, he’s never had a girl at his house when I was around.” She grins at me and squeezes my arm. “You’re wonderful, and there isn’t anyone else I would pick for him, but you’re young, Jessi, and I mean no offense by that. I just don’t want to see my brother hurt. So, if this is a temporary fling, please tell him sooner than later. I wouldn’t blame you. Hell, I’m twenty-five and still not settled down.”
I give a weak sigh, my stomach flipping.She’s right. Our deal is temporary. Not forever. Just for now.Still, I decide to confess what I’ve been holding in for too long. “Jack told me that he doesn’t want marriage or kids. I do, and he knows that. I don’t know where it goes from here. But personally? I don’t want itto end. I’ve fallen for him. We need to discuss the future, but I would never intentionally hurt him or expect him to change who he is or what he wants because of me.”
I draw my face toward the sky and take a deep breath.
Becky shrugs. “Good enough for me. It’s not my place to get in the middle. I’m happy he has you.”
