“Thanks, Molly. We will call you if we can get anything.” Brick tells her as she leaves. Brick sighs and levels me with a look. I already know what he is thinking. We might have to kill the rich prick to get him to leave Chloe alone. He is so obsessed with her that he believes he can have her. If he can’t, then he wouldn’t hesitate to take her out. “Let’s take this to church.” We all nod as Diesel sends messages out to the brothers. I am generally not a man that needs to get lost in a drink. But right now, I need a shot or two of something substantial.
I know what needs to be done, and I just hope that the club backs me on this one. Even if they don’t, I won’t let anything happen to Chloe. I can’t, I won’t. She has come to mean a whole hell of a lot me. In just a short amount of time. Damn, having her around all the time has made me realize what I want and need out of life. I enjoy having my brothers but a family. I never had one growing up. I learned to fend for myself, self-preservation more than anything.
Right now, I can’t make any decisions, all I want to do is get my hands around the rich bastard’s neck and strangle him, watch as the last breath leaves his body. That would be the decision that I would make. Unfortunately, I don’t think it would be good for the club. But who knows maybe something just as good could come out of this. I needed something to wrap my hands around.
“Need something, Jag?” Kelsey purred at me. Nodding my head, she brings me a shot of whiskey. Downing the glass of liquor I thought back to my childhood, I vowed that I wouldn’t get lost in the alcohol like that asshole did. I didn’t want to become a monster like he did. I knew I was a monster, but I was able to keep my demons on a leash for the most part. I knew that I could have a few beers and be okay. But the heavy shit, like this brown liquid in front of me, I tried to keep it to a minimum. Downing the shot, I reveled the burn as it went down my throat.
“Thanks, doll.” Kelsey nods her head with a worried look on her face. I hated it when women thought they had something to worry about. I knew I couldn’t take it all away from each woman. But the ones in my life, I should be able to keep safe. But the feeling I had for Chloe, were stronger. So much stronger, it nearly took my breath away. Especially thinking that something could happen to her. I couldn’t let anything happen to her. Chloe didn’t need to worry her pretty little brown head about anything.
Getting up from the barstool, I made my way to the chapel. Dropping my phone into the bucket, I sauntered into the room. “Damn Jag, I have never seen you look so defeated before.” My head shot up to see Brick standing at the head of the table.
“Sorry, man,” I mumbled as I took my seat.
“Jag, man, it’s alright to need to help sometimes. I mean, come on, man. I had to ask the Irish for help when I lost Korey.” He was telling the truth. I was there when it went down. Brick looked like he lost the most precious thing to him. I knew how he felt, and I haven’t lost Chloe. Damn, how did that woman worm her way into my stone heart? Brick continued without me talking to him. “Just wanted to let you know, I get how you feel. But let us help you out. This shit with this Rivet boy. And I do mean boy because I real man wouldn't have to buy a woman. He would win her. You’ve always been there for us, let the club be there for you and your woman.”
“Thanks, Prez. Really, thanks.” He nodded his head at me, as the others came into the room. Once everyone was settled, the gavel was slammed down on the table.
“Alright, listen up, we have a situation. Jags woman, Chloe. We know that her mother and that asshole decided to strike a deal.” The murmurs and head nods went around. “Well, that agreement was to sell Chloe to the Rivet boy. Now here is the problem we have, there is nothing that Molly can get them on. We need more proof.”
“How in the hell can we get that proof?” Tank questioned.
“Well, we could get them to admit to it; you know to wear a wire like the cops do.” Stink added. Stink stroked his chin as he said. “We could get Jag’s woman to go undercover and get the information.”
I shot up out of my chair, my anger coming to the surface. “Like hell, we will.” I roared at my brothers.
“Listen, Jag, I get that you don’t want to do this, but we would be there. Nothing would happen to your woman.” Stink added. I knew that my brother wouldn’t let anything happen to her. But I still didn’t like the idea of Chloe getting close to this asshole.
“There has to be another way.” Diesel was watching me as he started. “Listen, we are new at this legit stuff, but maybe we could get the information out of him in a different way. Men like Rivet like to brag and boast. That is what golf is for, right?” A few of the brothers chuckled at Diesel’s attempt to lighten the mood.
“So what, are we going to put someone undercover or some shit?” Blaze threw out there. Diesel looked right at him and nodded. “Oh, hell, no.” Blaze caught what Diesel was selling and didn’t like it. “There is no way I could do some shit like that. ‘Sides, if I fucked up, Jag would kill me.” Crossing his tatted arms across his chest. Blaze glared at Diesel.
“Come on, VP, you’re the only one of us that passes for one of them. You got the looks. Pretty boy.”
“Can’t we just kill the bastard?” Blaze offers.
“It would be a pleasure, but he has too many connections. His disappearance would go noticed.” Diesel added. He had a point, but maybe Blaze was on to something. Diesel could make someone look like they took off for good.
“What if we made it look like the bastard took off, for good. To never come back. Drain Rivet’s accounts; pack a bag from his house. You know all that shit.” I wasn’t paid to think, I was paid to protect and kill for the club. The killing part I could take care of, but the planning was not my specialty.
“Jag has a point. Besides, a man like Rivet, even in prison, could get outside help. Jag, your woman, might not even be safe after he takes the hit.” Butch speaks up.
“What about the woman that sold her? What would we do about her?” Snake asks as he crosses his arms. Brick nods to him. Letting him know he was heard, and that topic is next.
“You are right, Butch, Chloe might not be safe even if Rivet gets a sentence. Besides, daddy might get some of the charges dropped.” Diesel sighs as he leans back in his chair. “I hate fucking rich people.” Diesel smiles over at me.
“It seems like the only path is for Thomas Rivet to meet the reaper.” Brick tells us, as nods go around the room. I tried to hide my smile, fuck I needed this more than anything else. “That leaves us with Savannah Bowman.” Brick sighs as he levels me a look. “Do you think your woman would want her mother to die?”
“Here is the fucked up thing. Savannah isn’t her mother, more of an evil stepmother type. But no, I don’t think she would be alright with her death. She is a greedy woman; maybe we use some of Rivet’s cash to buy her out.” I suggest. Diesel cracks up from his spot at the table.
“Damn, man, that is good. If Savannah gets what she wants, we may never hear from her again.” Diesel smiles as he shakes his head.
“Alright, all in favor of Thomas Rivet meeting the reaper.” Brick pauses as the ayes go around the room. “All in favor of Savannah Bowman getting her pay through Rivet’s cash.” Ayes go around the room again. The gavel slamming down, signaling that the meeting was over. Everyone rose from their chairs, but I stayed behind. I needed a minute to get my head together. Although I was ready to get down to business with this shit. I didn’t know how Chloe would really feel about me killing her crazy ex or whatever he was to her.
Chapter 24
Chloe
I knew of Korey and had the pleasure of getting to know her a couple of weeks ago. But today, well after everything, it was delightful. Considering what I had learned. When I woke up this afternoon, everything came flooding back to me. I decided quickly to focus on what Dax told me instead. He claimed that I was his home. I let that little tidbit flood through me. It felt good, knowing that I was his home too. I felt wanted, needed, and cherished. Sure, Dax was rough and jagged
around his edges. But he was mine, and I was his. Dax was everything that I needed. I didn’t have to beg for help, he just knew. He knew when I needed his touch when I needed him to tell me what to do. It was nice not having to worry about making decisions.
“So, tell me, Chloe. What is going on between you and Jag?” Korey scooted closer to me at the bar as she asked. It was quiet. Apparently, all the guys were in a meeting or something. Kelsey was behind the bar wiping down the glasses.
“I don’t know. I mean, well, I guess we are going slow?” I hated that we had never really identified what we were. I didn’t want to say, fuck buddies. I didn’t feel like fuck buddies was a proper term. But boyfriend didn’t seem right either.
“Pft, please. Chloe, none of these guys know how to take it slow. They are either all in or not. If Jag is spending more time with you, then I would say you are his Ol’ Lady.” I had heard the term before, from what little I knew it was pretty much the same as a wife. But hell, is that what Jag wanted? I mean, he told me I felt like home. To me, that is something special that is like saying those three little words. But was it all just a ploy to get me to calm down? For all I knew, I was just a job with benefits. “Uh-uh stop that right now. Trust me, Chloe, you mean more to that man than you know. Let me tell you a little back story. When I met Brick, I was starting over. Me and the kids moved from Texas here. My little brother Blaze helped me out, got me an apartment. I met Brick that first night. By the next day, I was working for him. In less than a week, I was fucking my boss.” Korey let out a little laugh. “We did that for a few weeks, nothing but closing down the shop and having at it. Somewhere along the way, the lines of no strings blurred. Not just for me, but for him too. After two months, we were done fucking in the office, and before I knew it, he proposed, and now here we are. I am married to my fuck buddy and have a beautiful daughter with him. The topper, he took my two kids in, and he became the dad they always wanted.” Kelsey sat down a beer in front of Korey, and one in front of me. We sat silently for a few minutes.
I thought about what Korey had told me. Could it be possible that Jag was feeling the same as me? Could it be that he is falling in love too? Would I be enough for him? I mean, he is the enforcer of the MC. He needs a strong woman. Someone that can handle when something crazy gets thrown at the club. Could I be that woman? “How do you do it?” Korey looks at me and tilts her head in confusion. “How do you know if you are cut out for this lifestyle?” I clarify my question for her. I need to know. Although I will admit that I am worried that it won’t be me.
“Well,” Korey starts off, and then stops as she thinks for a second. “Not everyone is cut out for this lifestyle. To be an Ol’ Lady, you have to be capable. Know that your man loves you, but the club comes first. Never ask your man to quit the club, because well, he will leave you before he does the club. Also, know your place, the men of this club do respect women, but let’s face it; it’s an all-male club. Sure, we are a big family, but the women of this club are close too. Know that the Ol’ Ladies are higher ranking than the skanks around here. And always trust your man. I can’t stress that one the most, you believe him to take care of you in every way possible. Also, it does help to be the whore in the bedroom.” Korey winks at me with that last tidbit. I couldn’t help but laugh at that one.
Shifting the beer on the bar top, I thought about what she told me. It didn’t sound that bad. I already did all of it to begin with. I wondered how fast the guys changed Ol’ Ladies out, though. Obviously, it wasn’t forever, was it? Did I want a forever? I did want a family; I was turning thirty soon. I wanted kids, and I wanted to settle down more quickly. “What are you thinking over there?” Korey asked. I looked over at her. She looked at the biker chick. She had the blue hair going for her, tight jeans, and a cute tank top that claimed, “My husband is bigger than yours.”
“Korey, I am almost thirty. I want to settle down. I don’t know if Jag is ready for that.” Letting out a sigh, I feel like slumping in my stool. There I got it out in the open.
“Have you told him that?”
“Well, no. I mean, we haven’t really talked about the future. We have talked a little about the past and present. To be honest, the future kind of scares me. I don’t know what to expect from it. Ya know?”
“I am going to give you the best advice I ever got. Go with the flow, if it feels right, go with it. Does Dax feel right?” Korey tilts her head with a small smile. I couldn’t keep the smile off my face if I wanted to.
“Yeah, he feels like home.” Dax did feel like home, in his arms, or when we touched, it felt like I was coming home. Everything faded away, all my anxiety just left. It was like he chased it away.
“Then, there is your answer. Just go with the flow and everything will be okay.” Korey pats my hand as the boys come out. I watch as all the members come out, but I don’t see the one face that I am looking for. Brick wraps his arms around Korey, whispering something in her ear that causes her cheeks to flush. “He might need you in there.” Brick tells me as he pulls Korey away and up the stairs. Taking the last swallow of my beer, I make my way to the room that they all came out of. I have no idea what to expect.
But seeing Dax sitting in a high back chair with his head in his hands was not it. I don’t say anything as I make my way to him. I don’t know what to say to him. Kneeling down beside his chair and move the swivel chair to face me. Dax drops his hands and looks down at me. Without saying anything more, he brings me to his lap. Hooking my arms around his neck, I hold him to me. No words are spoken for a while as we hold each other in the chair. Dax breaks the silence, “it will all be over soon, baby.”
“Good, that’s good.” It was good, I would be glad to put all of this behind us.
“Never thought I would say this, but this feels good.” Proving his point, Dax runs his big hands up and down my back. Feeling his hands on my back made me shiver as I inhaled Dax’s scent of leather and sandalwood. “Cold?” I didn’t have to look up to know he had that smirk on his face.
“No, just happy,” I tell him with a smile in the crook of his neck.
“Happy? Huh? I do that for you?” Rolling my eyes as I close them. Leaning back to see his face. His whiskey eyes boring into mine. That smirk is there. He knows he makes me happy. But I don’t mind telling him.
“Yeah, babe, you do that for me. You make everything better.” Shrugging my shoulders, I look down. Dax isn’t a small man, so my legs are resting on top of his in the chair. Taking my chin with his thumb and forefinger, Dax lifts my face to meet his eyes.
“Babe, you make everything better when you walk into a room. You, Chloe Bowman, are the light that chases all of the darkness away.”
“Why, Dax, you didn’t tell me you were a romantic.”
“Far from it. Chloe, I am a bad man. I am not some rich ass that doesn’t have a record. I have one like a CVS receipt. I’ve done things that I am not proud of.” I could tell that he meant it. He really didn’t think he was a good guy. I didn’t see some maniac when I looked at him, I saw a man that was haunted by his past, a man that wanted to do good, but didn’t really know-how. I saw the man that I was falling in love with.
“That’s not what I see.” Cupping his face, I made the decision to tell him what I saw. “I see a man that has a big heart, a man that is haunted by his past. But most importantly, I see the man that I am falling in love with.” Taking a deep breath, I waited for the ball to drop. This was when he would tell me that he didn’t feel the same and that he didn’t want anything more than sex with me. Closing my eyes, I waited. I hadn’t meant to blurt it out, but it was out there now.
“Open your eyes, babe.” Slowly I opened my eyes, the smile that was on Dax’s face was contagious. “Did you mean it?”
“Yes, of course, I do. Dax you don’t have to say anything, I know I am not easy to love or be with, so I understand if…” Dax didn’t let me finish. Putting a finger to my lips with that small smile of his.
“Woman, y
ou are the easiest person to love. You are loving, caring, strong. God, are you strong. But most importantly, you are the one person that I love.”
Shock that was what I felt. I felt like someone took a cattle prod to my heart and shocked me. My heart rate took off, beating in my chest like a hundred horses galloping through a meadow. I didn’t know what to say or what to do. Here I was Chloe Bowman, animal shelter owner, painter, and I had the sexiest badass man claiming he loved me. What was a woman to do? Probably not what I did, I burst into tears.
“Whoa” Dax started to chuckle. “Chloe, babe, why are you crying?” Shaking my head and shrugging my shoulders. I really didn’t know why I was crying. All I knew was that I was happy. Like really, happy that someone was able to love me. Using my hands to wipe the tears away, I started to laugh a little.
“Sorry,” I started, but Dax shook his head, he leaned in a kissed me. Letting out a sigh, I kissed him back. There wasn’t any ‘damn I fell in love with a crazy woman.’ Or anything like that, just a kiss that I could get lost in and forget that I burst into tears when Dax told me he loved me. I mean, who in the hell does that? Apparently, that is who.
“Jag, oh, hey, Chloe.” I turned away from the kiss to see Diesel standing in the door. “Um, man, we got to roll out.” With that, he was gone. I turned back to Dax.
“Guess this mean you got to go?”
“Yeah, before I go through. Did any of the girls tell you what an Ol’ Lady was?” my heart started to act up again.
“Yes.”
“Good, then you know that you’re my Ol’ Lady, right?”
“I want to be, yes.”
Chasing Demons (Angels and Sinners Book 3) Page 18
