Promise of Love

by Erin Trejo

  “You are friends with the mayor. You low life piece of shit!” I roar. That’s his name. Plastered over everything in sight. From what I can find, they have been friends since high school.

  The motherfucker’s played football together. And from the looks of Mr. Mayor’s shit, he is just as much a sick fuck as Daniel. He gets off on that shit.

  Watching girls be beaten. What kind of people are they? What was their lives like that made them the way they are today?

  “Fuck! I just got in a whole new world of shit.” I shake my head and roll my shoulders ready to get as much information on these bastards as I can.

  If that’s what’s holding Jordyn back, I will fucking kill them all. None of them will ever be a problem for her again after I get my hands on them. Her whole life was shit. I can’t even imagine the hell that she lived through when she was younger. How she managed to survive all those years is beyond me. She’s stronger than she gives herself credit for. She’s stronger than I give her credit for. But there’s still that broken little girl deep down inside of her. The one that shy’s away from everyone and everything that she thinks will hurt her. The one that shy’s away from me.

  Chapter 30

  Jordyn

  Two hundred dollars. That’s all they had hidden in that damn apartment. Two, hundred, dollars. I sit on the corner and contemplate my next move. Having my dad come after me is a hell, no. Having Bone rape me, and kill me? Not happening either. I couldn’t get Link involved any more than I already did. It hurt like hell to leave this morning. I only took a few things so he wouldn’t notice and I left a note for him under the pillow. I knew he wouldn’t find it right away.

  Now I think.... Where can I go? How can I get there? I only have one friend but I haven’t talked to her in years. I have to get out of here. Or do I? Once they all learn that I’m missing maybe that old saying of ‘hiding in plain sight’ makes sense. They would think I was long gone, right? They wouldn’t be looking for me. I pull out the burner phone and stare at it like it might give me some answers. I know it won’t. I could call Terry. She’s the only person I ever considered a friend.

  We haven’t talked in years but I think she might help me out. Oh, who am I kidding? I stick the phone back in the bag and sigh.

  I did this to myself. I let myself get so royally fucked, that I fell into all this shit. A world of the unknown now lies ahead of me and I have no idea how I’m going to handle that. I could call Link. I could tell him that I had to leave and see what he says, couldn’t I?

  “No. You fucked him over too,” I mumble to myself when a girl sits on the bench next to me.

  “Hey,” she says with a slight smile. She’s dressed like a hooker. Then it hits me. She is a hooker.

  “Hi,” I say back trying to look anywhere but at her.

  “Are you ok? This isn’t the best corner to be sitting on alone.” Her eyes search mine when I turn to look at her. She can’t be very old. She’s frail, skinny.

  “I don’t have anywhere to go right now,” I admit, although I don’t know why.

  “This isn’t the corner to be on,” she says again. “Roach will snap you up and have you working if he sees you. You need to leave,” she says pushing herself off the bench. I watch her look around before she starts to walk away.

  “I don’t have anywhere else to go,” I call out to her. She stops walking and glances around quickly.

  “Come on,” she says waving her hand quickly at me. I stand and grab my bag before following her down the road. This probably isn’t the best idea I’ve ever had but it is my only option at the moment. I just need to sit down somewhere safe and regroup. Think things over. Then I’ll leave.

  She looks around every corner before she speaks, “Don’t talk to anyone. Doesn’t matter what they ask you.” I nod my head as she leads me into a dimly lit alley. My body vibrates with fear. I don’t know what to do now. This was a bad idea. A very bad idea.

  “Are you coming?” she asks when I didn’t realize I stopped walking. Am I going? What the hell am I doing?

  “You’re surviving,” I tell myself as I follow her. She pushes through a door and leads me up a set of stairs.

  “Martha! You got a new girl?” An older man with graying hair looks me up and down. My stomach immediately rolls from his gaze.

  “No. She’s my cousin. Touch her and Roach will kill you,” she says with a sneer. She opens another door and ushers me inside.

  “This is my place. It isn’t much. It’s shitty as hell but it’s dry,” she says closing the door behind us.

  I take in the apartment that smells like urine. I don’t say anything, though.

  “I’m Martha. You can stay here for now but don’t steal anything. I work nights... obviously. You better find a job though, cause Roach takes most of my money. I don’t really have anything extra when he gets done with it. He’s an asshole of the worst kind.” She yawns and drops onto the chair in front of her.

  “I’m Jordyn.”

  Chapter 31

  Link

  My bike used to be freeing. Now it feels like the road is closing in on me. I’ve looked everywhere for Jordyn. She’s nowhere to be found. I pull into the clubhouse parking lot and hop off my bike before storming inside.

  “Any of you heard from Jordyn?” I roar as I walk inside. My heart thuds louder and louder by the second.

  “No. What the hell happened?” Micah shoves off the stool he was sitting on and stalks toward me. I run my hand through my hair before I say, “She’s gone, brother. I thought she was goin’ out on one of her jogs but she never came back.” Micah blows out a breath before Bash chimes in.

  “Maybe she had enough.” My hands clench and I want nothing more than to snap his neck.

  “I left my laptop open for her. She took the fuckin’ bait like I thought she would. She’s runnin’ from her dad. He beat the hell out of her for years. She had him locked up. Six month stretch. He’s out in a few weeks.” Micah whistles before tipping his head back.

  “Looks like daddy’s in with the mayor. That’s how he kept gettin’ her back. She’s fuckin’ runnin’ from him,” I grunt under my breath.

  “Let’s talk it out with Bomber,” Micah says. He slaps a hand on my shoulder before we both head toward his office. Micah shoves the door open before we both walk in.

  “Nice to see you asshole!” Bomber chuckles when he sees me. Then he takes in my stature and that changes. “What the fuck happened?”

  “Jordyn split. She’s runnin’ from her dad. She got him a six month stretch in county. He beat her most of her life. Friends with the mayor.” Bomber lowers his head blowing out a breath.

  “You look everywhere?” he asks without looking up. He has to know the answer to that already.

  “I need you on a run tonight, Link. Club business.” His head finally comes up and his eyes meet mine.

  “You think I’m puttin’ my family second?” Why am I so pissy with everyone? He never said a fucking word and here I am ready to rip his balls off.

  “Never said that shit. I just need your head right,” he says calmly.

  “Yeah. I can handle that.” I start to turn and walk back out when he calls me back.

  “We ain’t done motherfucker!” he rumbles. I turn and step back into the room and look at him.

  “You wanna find her or is this shit over? You think she walked for that reason alone?” Damn, his question is the one that’s been running wild through my mind.

  “You got ESP, brother?” I ask getting a laugh from him and Micah. “I don’t know, Prez. I don’t like the circumstances.” That’s not a lie. I don’t.

  She could have told me about her dad. He is a nobody when it comes to protecting her. There’s something more. I can feel it.

  “You’re the best at what you do, Link. We’ll back you, brother. Whatever way you choose, but family comes first. We need to handle this fucked up shipment tonight. Tomorrow’s another fuckin’ day.” I nod my head, somewhat happy with his
answer. I walk out into the main room and see Trinity sitting at the bar with Shannon. I miss that girl, too. More than I should but I connected with Shannon on a level that no one else could touch.

  “Can I steal her?” I ask Trinity with a smile. Shannon beams up at me with that bright smile of hers. God, I missed that.

  “Of course.” I wink at Trinity before reaching for Shannon’s hand. I pull her along with me until I get us out onto the back porch.

  “I’ve missed you,” she whispers.

  “Missed you too, darlin’. You got Bash, though. I need to step back, you know?” She nods her head before we sit. I put my arm around her shoulders and she lays her head on my shoulder.

  “What’s going on, Link? You’re tense.”

  “She left. Took off this mornin’. I thought she went for a jog.” Shannon sighs before I tell her what I learned.

  “You think there’s more to it?” she asks knowing me better than I know myself most days.

  “Yeah. Not sure what, though. I feel content when she’s there, Shannon. Fuck....” I blow out a breath before she looks up at me.

  “You’ve been the best friend I could have ever asked for. You brought me through more than anyone else. I love you, Link. If you think there’s more, find her. Let her tell you.” That’s easier said than done. I pull her closer into my side and lie my head back.

  “She’s fuckin’ with my head, Shannon.” She giggles a little knowing exactly what I mean.

  I know what I mean. Since the day I laid eyes on her broken body, she has touched something in me. I know the guys think it’s because she’s my first but that is so far from the truth. She makes me feel like I’m worth something. She makes me want all the good things in life that the other guys have. She makes me dream of a future that holds more than just death and this club.

  Chapter 32

  Jordyn

  I yawn and sit up, forgetting where I am for a minute. I almost panic until that stale urine and mold smell hits me. It overwhelms me. I look around but Martha has already left. I knew she wouldn’t be here when I woke up, she told me she works at night. I look around her tiny apartment when a huge ball of regret works its way through me. I shouldn’t have left him a note. What kind of person am I to do that? He took me in when Bone threw me out. I walk into the bathroom and look at myself in the dingy mirror. This is what my life has come down to. On the run with two hundred dollars and nowhere to go.

  “You were a mistake to begin with, Jordyn,” I remind myself as I look into my own eyes. Maybe that’s exactly what I am. Maybe I am a complete fucking mistake. I pull the burner phone out and look at Link’s name. My finger hovers over the call button but I’m too much of a coward to fucking dial it. Instead, I dial Terry. My heart hammers in my chest not knowing what she might say. Hell, she may tell me to go to hell, too.

  “Hello?” she answers and my heart stops.

  “Terry?” I ask, needing to know that it’s really her.

  “Yeah. Who is this?”

  “It’s Jordyn.” The line is silent for a minute and just when I think she’s hung up she says, “I heard about your dad. I’m so sorry that I never knew.” I sigh. She actually remembers me.

  “Where are you?” she asks.

  “Long story, short. I’m homeless right now. He gets out in a few weeks. I was trying to get out of here but I don’t have enough money. I’m staying with a hooker!” Tears spring to my eyes and I can’t control the sobs that shake my body. This is my life now.

  “Oh, Jordyn. Where are you? I’ll come get you.” I sob harder. Now I’m dragging her into this mess.

  I tell her where I am before hanging up. She assured me that she’d be here in less than an hour. I find some paper and write a note to Martha, letting her know that I had to go but I left her the hundred I had. She needs it more than I do at this point. I tuck it under an old beer bottle on her table before I grab my stuff and head for the door. I wish things were different. I wish my life didn’t always have to turn to shit. There are so many things that I regret but there is nothing I can do to change them now.

  I regret not kissing Link just once more before I left. I regret not pushing harder to keep my dad in jail. I regret meeting Bone that day in the bar. I will never forgive myself for what I’ve done in the past. The only thing that I can do now is look to the future as bleak as it may be. I walk out of the alley and head to the corner where I’d told Terry I’d wait for her. There’s a small diner on the corner that I head into.

  “What can I get you?” The older woman smiles with missing teeth.

  “Eggs and water please.” She nods and heads off into the back while I watch the storm that’s brewing on the horizon. The storm that feels like me. Maybe I am the storm. What do I bring aside from destruction?

  Chapter 33

  Link

  My focus is on point. I’ve never let a woman or anything for that matter, distract me from what I have to do for this club. I watch the bikes as they come down the road on my tablet. You think I wouldn’t have mobile access to this shit? Dead fucking wrong. I have eyes everywhere.

  “They’re pullin’ up,” I tell the guys. Bomber nods before everyone’s positions shift. We know that Rangers were behind the shooting the last time they were set to meet but we don’t know if these pricks had anything to do with that as well.

  That’s what makes our focus that much more important. We need to feel them out. Keep our game faces on. The bikes pull up and the guys all climb off. I watch their movements much like the rest of the guys do. The leader of their little club walks up to Bomber with his hand extended.

  “Seems we meet again. Hopefully none of my guys get hit this time.” Shit, I didn’t realize any had.

  “Didn’t know you had one hit. I’d apologize but I didn’t set that shit up,” Bomber says crossing his arms over his chest.

  “You think we did?” Rich asks. Bomber just shrugs.

  “We didn’t have shit to do with that. In fact, my intel says it was Rangers.” Rich watches Bomber for his reaction.

  “We got that same intel. You ready to do this?” Bomber’s arms fall to his sides. I pull out the tablet and check my cameras once more to make sure nothing seems off. I don’t see anything so when Bomber looks to me, I nod. Bullet grabs the bag of coke and tosses it to Kane. He walks up next to Bomber.

  “We run a lot of shit. Don’t fuck me over.” He grits his teeth before passing Rich the bag. One of his guy’s hands Kane the bag of cash. I keep my eyes glued to the tablet. Nothing out of the ordinary seems to be happening until I hear the chime. I pull up the second screen and see a ping from the burner phone. Damn right, I’m tracking that motherfucker!

  “Shit!” I grumble under my breath. She’s close by. Just used the fucking thing.

  I watch the exchange between the guys while my heart picks up the pace. I want to get this over with and get the hell out of here to see if I can pin-point where she is. Dax and Kane count the money which seems to take a hundred times longer when my head is a mess. I keep my focus though. I keep my head on straight. The exchange takes the longest in fucking history if you ask me. I watch Bomber and Rich shake hands before breaking apart. I keep my eyes on Rich’s guys as they climb on their bikes and head out.

  “What the hell has your dick bunched?” Bomber asks me, clearly seeing the look in my eyes.

  “Got a ping off the burner phone,” I tell him, sliding the tablet into my saddle bag.

  “Close by?” he asks. I nod once before he blows out a breath. “Let’s move then.” I shake my head as he moves toward his bike. I’m not mixing them up in this any more than they already are.

  “I can handle it,” I tell him. His head snaps around to look at me.

  “You think I’m lettin’ that shit slide? Fuck off, Link. You’re one of us. We ride—we ride together.” I let a small smile cross my face before I climb on my bike.

  “Take lead. We’ll follow.” I rev up my bike and pull out in front of all the guys. It�
�s a weird feeling to have, being at the head of the line. It’s definitely not my place. Being the leader takes a toll on you. I’ve watched Bomber rise and slowly fall with his place as President. It takes a strong person to maintain that place. He’s been that and more but he’s tired. You can see it in his eyes when he looks at you. You can feel it the way he talks. Hell, he will even tell you!

  Nope. This is not my place at all.

  Chapter 34

  Jordyn

  I sit on the bench…. The same bench I just met Martha at. It’s a somber feeling that flows through me. I don’t know how to feel anymore. I’m confused. I’m lost. I’m alone. I hear a car door but I don’t look up to see if it’s Terry or not.

  “Jordyn.” Her voice is soft and sweet, just like the girl I used to know. I look up and see that sweet glint in her eyes.

  “Thanks for coming,” I tell her as I stand and grab my bag. It’s kind of a bad feeling to know that your life now consists of one damn bag. All that you are, all that you have is in one bag. That isn’t saying much about me as a person but I’m not a good person.

  “I’ve missed you. I’m glad you’re ok,” she says. Am I ok? I don’t think I have been in a long time.

  “I didn’t have anyone else to call. I’m sorry if I bothered you.” Terry moves closer, trying to pull me into a hug before she says, “You didn’t bother me. I’m glad you remembered to call me. I’m here for you, no matter what.” I let her words soothe me for the moment. But only for the moment. I pull back not letting her touch me though. She doesn’t seem too affected by it but there is a question in her eyes. I can’t let it go any further or explain it to her right now because I know they will all be looking for me soon.

  My dad... Bone... Link. One of them is bound to find me. One of them is bound to kill me and I won’t let Terry be in the middle of it.

  “I can’t stay long. Can you just give me a ride across town?” Terry looks as if I’ve lost my mind.