Chapter 48
“Because you were scared, baby, and I’m a dick. I was angry that Jenny made me mad enough to want to kill her, and then when I saw your face, it was too much. I needed you gone. I’m not always good at the emotional shit, Payton, but I’ll try. If you’ll let me.”
“Why didn’t you give my stuff to Dani?”
“Because I had to see you,” he admitted. “I knew if I let her have it, I wouldn’t have an excuse to
Well, that was kind of sweet.
“I know this is a lot to take in,” he said. “If you need a couple of days, take ‘em. I’ll do whatever you want me to do. We can start slow again or you can tell me to fuck off. I’ll respect your decision.”
I nodded. “I should take some time to think.”
“Whatever you need, baby.”
“Would you mind dropping me home? I’d rather not walk.”
“Of course.”
I did our dishes quickly, left a note for Brock and Bailey, and then locked up and followed him to his truck. He threw my bag in the back and opened the door for me. We drove the five minutes to my parents‘ house and he parked in front.
“I need to be clear on something,” I said before I climbed out of the truck.
“Okay.”
I squeezed his arm. “Even if this doesn’t work out for whatever reason, I need you to know my decision would have nothing to do with what you told me. I don’t see you as anything less because of your past, or see you as warped or depraved…. your words. I just need to figure out if we’re right for each other.”
He nodded. “I love you, Payton, and I’m not always gonna do everything right, but I do intend to fight for you. I’m not gonna lie about my intentions.”
My stomach flipped. “I love you too, Alex. I’m just not sure if it’s enough.”
“I know, baby.” He sighed. “I’ll get your bag.”
He helped me from the truck, handed me my bag, and then gave me the sweetest kiss he’d ever given me. I forced back tears as I navigated the sea of emotions.
“I love you,” he said, and kissed my forehead before climbing in his truck and driving away.
I let myself into the house and walked down to my room, falling on the bed and bursting into tears for the forty–millionth time in less than a day.
Hawk
I stormed into the club, my mind solely on my directive. I’d come here the second I’d left Payton, my intention to take care of the threat immediately.
1/3
1:37 pm pp
Chapter 48
M
$5 Voucher
“Hey, Hawk,” Train, one of the recruits, greeted.
“Hey, brother. Crow in his office?”
“Yeah, man.”
I headed to the President’s office, knocked on the door, and entered when bid.
Crow gave me a chin lift. “Hawk.”
“No more Jenny,” I demanded.
“Yeah, we’re on it.”
I wanted to say more… something in the vein of Crow making sure his old lady, Susie, was on board with the plan…. but I held my tongue. I might be high up in the hierarchy of the club, but that didn’t mean I could disrespect the Prez and his family.
“Everyone’s on the same page, Hawk.” Crow waved toward a chair. “Mack workin‘ on the legal shit?”
I nodded and sat down. “Bitch signed away her rights three years ago. That’s not the issue.”
“You got recruits on her, she can’t get far.”
“She’s fuckin‘ wacked, Crow. I don’t know what she’ll do or who’s still loyal to her.”
“Mack helpin‘?”
I nodded. “He’s usin‘ his God–given gift to find out.”
Logan ‘Mack‘ Reed was the club’s legal counsel. He happened to be Booker’s closest friend and right–hand man, but he was also a damn good lawyer and I’d used him to deal with the Jenny situation in the beginning. Mack had had the foresight to get her to sign over her rights, something I wouldn’t have thought of, and it meant Jenny didn’t have a legal chance in hell of getting Lily back.
But she was devious and smart, so it didn’t mean I wasn’t worried. Lucky for me, Mack was far more cunning and could work the system within the law. He was also charming, which meant he had his choice of women. All of whom he was ‘working‘ to find out who still had ties to Jenny. I couldn’t have been more grateful.
“Come in,” Crow called when a knock at the door came.
“Hawk, honey, I’m sorry. I didn’t know.” Susie pushed in and sat in the chair next to me. “I mean, I didn’t know she wasn’t supposed to be there,” she rushed on. “Not that she wasn’t a psycho bitch.”
I nodded.
“She said that Alana invited her, and I didn’t know she was messin‘ with you. Both bitches are banned, honey,”
“Preciate that, Suz.”
“You talk to Payton yet?”
I shifted in my seat. “Yeah.”
Susie sighed. “I’m real sorry, Hawk. If I can make it right, you let me know.”
I forced my heartache aside and nodded.
2/3
Chapter 48
“Babe,” Crow said. “We got business.”
“Right,” she said, and rose to her feet.
She started to leave, but Crow frowned. “Where the fuck are you goin, woman?”
She rolled her eyes and made her way to him, leaning down to kiss him quickly. “Fuckin‘ mixed messages, old man.”
He smacked her ass and she giggled as she left the office.
“You gotta miss church this week to deal with your woman, I’m good,” Crow said,
I nodded, my appreciation unspoken as I stamped down the feeling of hopelessness.
“You get clear of this shit and I got a job for you.”
I cocked my head. “Yeah?”
“Ashley’s been gettin‘ threats. Bad break–up with some Russian fuck–head.”
“You don’t know him?”
“Nah and he’s gone to ground. Darlin‘ daughter kept him secret. She won’t do it again,” Crow said, his voice low and angry. “Booker’s lookin‘ into it, but when he finds the bastard, I’m gonna need you.”
I nodded. “Anything yet?”
“So far, no, but we got a couple leads.”
“Whatever you need.”
“I’ll keep you posted,” Crow said. “If we see you at church, good, if we don’t, good.”
“Thanks, man,” I said, and rose to my feet.
With a chin lift, I left my president’s office and then headed out for the night.
AD
Comment
