by Colbie Kay
"How's the remodeling on the building coming?"
"It's good, we’re just waiting for some shipments, then it'll be ready,” Bam Bam answers.
"Good. Okay, so if nothing else, meeting’s over. Let's get the fuck outta here."
We've been staying at the club for a month and the day they came here, everything stopped, no more mail. There's no cards, letters, nothing. This shows me that someone was watching her, even if Pretty Boy couldn't see anybody, they were there. They knew I was moving her to the club. If my brothers hadn't seen the shit being sent, they'd probably think I had lost my fucking mind.
It's time for us to go back home. I love the club and my brothers, but it's not a place for babies to live. She's getting bigger every day, looking sexier with her growing belly. I try doing shit for her, like rubbing her feet or massaging her back. When she gets cravings in the middle of the night, I make a trip to the store, getting her what she wants. Thank fuck the pucking stopped, it was pretty fucking disgusting, having to hold her hair and rub her back while her head was in the toilet.
She's tired all the time, but I think that has something to do with the parties. When they’re in full swing, Lil Mama has to stay in the bedroom with Cub, and it's loud so he doesn't get a lot of sleep. She's angry all the time, tired and sleepy. It's taking a toll on us and she misses being at our home. Karma stays in the bedroom and she's starting to feel cooped up too, unless she goes outside. That's when she can run free.
As soon as we walk into the cabin, returning home, the smile returns. "I'm sorry for the way I've been lately." I walk up, putting my arms around her.
"I understand, baby. You’re home now. Things will go back to normal. Everything stopped, so let's continue to hope that nothing else’ll happen."
"Yeah, but if anything else does happen, I'm going to Hanger and Zoey's. I love the guys, but they drove me crazy."
"Sounds good," I say, laughing. "They aren’t used to babies bein' around."
"I know, that's why I can't hold it against them,” she tells me, smiling. "I'm pregnant, so don't hold it against me for the way I acted either."
"I won't, don't worry about it."
Just a few days after Jacey got home, everything started back up. She started receiving the letters and cards again, and a week later, she received some panties with a letter saying they would like to see her in them. I'm getting real tired of the shit, I'm about to lose it. This person has to fuck up soon so we can get something on time.
Her four month check up went great, and she's seeing Dr. Greene again, as is Zoey. I can't describe the feeling I get when I hear my baby's heartbeat inside of the woman I adore, but any resentment I had left from missing out on Cub is gone now. I swear, hearing the heartbeat and the first cry is the best goddamn feeling in this entire fucking world. Dr. Greene says next month will be the visit when we find out what we’re having. Lil Mama keeps asking what I want, but it doesn’t matter to me, as long as the baby is healthy. Secretly though, I’ll be nervous as fuck if it's a girl.
The building finally got done and it's fucking amazing. We haven't let Jacey see it yet. She told us what her vision was for it and it's to the fucking T of what she wanted. It’s perfect. We worked hard to get everything right and I can't wait for her to see it.
Jacey
I've been home for a couple weeks and the shit started right back up. The cards and letters in the mail came back within a few days. It’s escalated to lingerie and boxes of stuff being delivered. Pretty Boy’s always here, but my dad sends different guys. They have made sure that they receive the mail, then show it to Bear. He shows me what comes, but doesn't talk much about what's happening. I'm trying not to let it bother me. I've realized I can't put my life on hold because of this. Bear doesn't let me do anything alone so now, even if I go out onto the deck, I have someone with me.
Today, Bear’s taking me to see the building. This’ll be the first time I've seen it since I bought it and the guys started remodeling. We pull up and everything looks the same, except for the window decal saying J.R. Recordings. Walking in the front door, all the walls are painted in a deep red, the trim black. There are black leather couches and chairs with glass tables. The old brown desk has been replaced with a new black shiny one, a computer sitting on top of it. This is amazing! There’s one thing I didn't ask for, and I love it.
"Bear, who did those framed drawings?"
"Writer." I look at him with a mixture of confusion and pride. Writer has changed so much, and not for the better. Just like we all thought, it killed him when Ever left, and he's been in a downward spiral since. He doesn't give a shit about himself. I don't know if we’ll ever get the old Writer back, although we all hope we will. For him to be a part of something and it be for me is awesome, the drawings are amazing. I didn't even know he had talent like that. They take up most of the wall behind the couch. Writer has made one that says family, that’s placed in the middle, and surrounding it are portraits of all of us: Cub, Ava and Harper, Zoey, Ever, all the guys, and me. They’re truly incredible and I've never seen anything like it. On the wall behind the desk he has made a big drawing the reads J.R. Recordings done beautifully in black, red, and white.
We walk into the offices, which are decorated like the front lobby. Opening the door for downstairs, we walk down the steps. I cover my mouth, tears forming in my eyes as I look around. "Oh Bear!”
"C'mere, Lil Mama,” he instructs as he pulls me to him, circling me in with one arm, holding Cub in the other.
"This is amazing!”
"I want you to have all your dreams come true,” he tells me, kissing the top of my head. “This is a good start.”
"My dreams started coming true when I got you and Cub." I look up at him and he smiles down at me.
The walls are done in a light grey color, sticking with the black trim and black furniture, and they have the table set up with all the recording equipment. The walls have been tore down, replaced with half walls. The second room’s set up with all the guitars, mics, drums sets, and everything else the bands will need. Glass separates that room from the rest, and the third room also has the wall tore down. They have a half wall put up with half a door, so I can see Cub when he’s playing, and they've filled the room with toys for him.
"We made sure to sound proof the room the band’ll be in so it won't be loud out here,” he tells me.
"God, Bear, this is more than I could’ve imagined. You guys did an amazing job."
"Thanks, Lil Mama. I'm glad you like it."
"Like it? I fucking love it."
"Now you just gotta find your first band."
"Yeah speaking of, we need to go to Insanity this Friday night."
"Why?"
"They have an open mic night and there’s this band playing. I checked them out on the computer and they’e amazing. I want them."
"Okay, sounds good.”
Friday night, we walk into Insanity, it's calmed down a lot since the first and only night we came here. Everyone is sitting at tables, listening to the band performing on stage. We take our seats in the middle of the room. The band is good, but not who I'm here to see. They finish up their set and walk off the stage as some other guy walks up.
"Are you guys ready for The Betrayed?" Everyone claps around us.
"That's not good enough! I said are you ready for The Betrayed?" That gets the audience hyped up as they clap louder, shouting and screaming out.
"That's more like it! Welcome The Betrayed!” He walks off the stage as the band comes on.
The first song of the set has a haunting beat, and when the lead singer comes in, I'm amazed. This band plays rock music, but the singer has such a soulful voice, blending perfectly with the guitars.
"Is this the band?" Bear asks.
"Yeah." I respond, not taking my eyes off the stage.
"They're fuckin' amazing!”
"I know.” Once the set is almost over, I look to Bear. “You stay here. I'm going up there."
"I will." I walk up to the stage right as the song ends. The lead singer looks down at me, giving me a cocky smile. He walks away from the mic, bending down in front of me. He's a good looking guy, just like the rest of the band. The lead singer has long brown hair with facial hair to match, and muscled arms with tattoos going from his wrist up to his elbow on his left arm. He looks to be about my age, maybe a few years younger. "What can I do for you, beautiful?”
Chuckling, I say, "I love your band."
"Oh yeah? You wanna come in the back? I can show you something else you would love." He's got a cocky ass attitude to match the smile.
"I'm a married woman."
"That's fine, I'll show you what your husband is lacking."
"Oh honey, you see that guy over there?” pointing over to Bear, standing with his arms crossed. “That would be my husband and I don't think he's lacking in anything." Smiling, I turn back to the lead singer. I see him swallow hard, the smile’s left his face.
"I'm sorry, most women come up here looking for something else."
"Yeah, well I'm not most women."
"What did you come up here for then?"
Handing him my card, I answer, "If you're interested, come see me at the table. I'll be here for a little while longer." He takes the card from my hand and I turn, walking away. I get back and sit down.
"What'd he say?"
"Well, he's a big flirt, but I gave him the card, so now we wait."
Twenty minutes later, the four guys come over. "Why don't you guys have a seat?”
"How about we stand and you tell us what's going on?”
"I believe my Ol' Lady said sit. You flirt with her again, I'll make it to where you won't have a voice to use anymore. Got me?" Bear chimes in. They all grab chairs.
"Sorry about him. That's my husband, Bear. He's a little over protective, if you can't tell. I came here because I love your band and I want to sign you."
"The card says J.R. Who’s that?"
"That's me, Jacey Rhodes," I tell them, sticking out my hand. "Nice to meet you guys."
"I'm Dawson, the lead singer. This is Elijah, he's on guitar. Rico, he's bass, and Colton on drums." Dawson says, each one shaking my hand.
"Why should we sign with you? How many bands do you have?"
"Well, I have a passion for music, and you’ll actually be my first band. I believe in you guys, love your sound. Within a year, we could have your album done and a tour set up, and you'll get a nice bonus for signing on. I have degrees in business and music. I used to be a doctor and ran my own clinic, so I know what the fuck I'm doing. If you sign with me, I promise you won't regret it, but if you don't, I can guaren-fuckin-tee you won't find anyone as good as me."
"How much?" Dawson asks.
"Why don't you guys think about it? Give me a call and we can discuss numbers.”
"Alright, we’ll talk about it."
That following Monday, I got the call I had been waiting for and met with The Betrayed. We decided on a number, and everything is set, ready to go. The only thing they have to do is get a manager.
Today I have Pretty Boy and for some reason, my dad sent Crawler, which I'm not too happy about. There's a knock at the door, and putting Cub down, I run to answer it, not even thinking about checking the peephole. I turn the alarm off and throw the door open. I'm greeted by Crawler, holding a gun to my face.
"What are you doing?" I ask, trying to keep the calm in my voice.
"It's time for you to come with me."
"Where's Pretty Boy?"
"Oh he's out there, knocked out, I asked him nicely to take a break, but he refused. How else was I gonna get to you?" I make a run for it, going back into the living room, grabbing Cub. Before I can get to my room, he's there, grabbing the back of my hair and pulling me down.
Karma is growling, but hasn't done anything until I say the magic word, attack. I land on my back with Cub still in my arms, he's screaming now. Karma latches onto Crawler’s leg, shaking it like it's one of her toys. He screams out from the pain. I cover Cub's ears as he lifts his gun, firing it. I scream and sit up, wrapping Cub tighter into my arms, trying to comfort him and trying to get up off the floor. Karma yelps out as the bullet hits her and she falls over.
"Jacey, I don't want to hurt you. You need to come willingly so I don't have to."
"Please Crawler, just leave us alone."
"I can't do that. It's time to go now." He pulls me up by my shirt, walking me to the door with the gun at the back of my head. Once we’re outside, I can see Pretty Boy laying there at the bottom of the steps, bleeding. I've got to step over him on the way to the car. When he shuts us in the backseat, and before he gets in front, I try the handle, but he has the goddamn child safety locks on. Then we’re driving away.
He drives about fifteen minutes and pulls into a rundown house. It makes me sick to know I'm this close to home, and so was he this whole time. The house is small with dirty white paint that's peeling off. Crawler gets me out of the car and I'm still clutching Cub to my chest, who’s calmed down some since the ride. He takes us into the house, with old creaking floors and cobwebs covering the walls. The wallpaper’s peeling off just like the paint was, and it's bare, no furniture or anything, so I know he doesn't live here. He opens the first door on the left. It’s a bedroom, empty except for a ratty mattress on the floor. He takes me over, sitting me down on it.
"What do you need for him?"
"Why are you doing this?"
"I'll explain everything later. What do you need for him?"
"Diapers, milk, wipes, clothes, and a sippy cup."
He pulls out his phone, calling someone and telling them to bring him a list of things.
"When they get here, if you make a noise or try to run, I’ll kill you both,” he says as he shuts the door. I think I hear a lock click behind him, but I'm not sure so I get up and turn the knob.
Of course, it's locked. I look around the room, trying to see if there’s anything I can use to get us out of here. The windows are boarded up. I see another door so I go over and open it. It's a closet and it's completely empty. I go sit back down and feel something in my pocket. I forgot I have my phone, pulling it out to check for service. Nothing, no service at all. Throwing it down, I sit holding my son, trying to come up with a plan to get us out of here alive.
I've tried not looking at my phone to save on the battery. I don't know how long we've been kept in here, I'm guessing at least a couple of hours. Hearing the door start to open, I scurry to get my phone under my ass. I make it just as the door fully opens, and Crawler comes in, shutting it behind him. He has food for me and all the things I needed for Cub.
"Here. Eat. I got one of these things for him,” he says as he tilts his chin towards Cub, sippy cup in hand.
"You’re the one that sent me all that stuff?"
"Well yeah. Didn't you like it?"
"No. How did you find out where I lived?"
"I followed you the night of the fight. Of course, I stayed back far enough so Bear wouldn't notice, but I had to make sure you got home safely."
"Are you crazy?"
"No. He doesn't really love you not like me. He won't come for you he'll just move on forget all about you."
"Why are you doing this?"
"Because Jacey, you were always mine."
"What the hell are you talking about?”
"Do you remember we used to play together?"
"A little bit, not much." God, that was so long ago.
"Yeah, you were young, six when your momma took you away. I was older than you."
"You know Bear is going to find me and kill you,” I tell him.
"I don't think so.” Pacing the floor, he continues. “This was always the way it was supposed to be. You were the princess and I was the VP's son. We were destined to be together."
"You’re fucking crazy!” I hear the familiar sound of Bear's motorcycle go by. It brings tears t
o my eyes, knowing he has no idea he just rode by us. "Can you leave me alone so I can eat and take care of my son?”
"Yeah, but just remember what I told you. I’ll kill both of you if you try to leave."
"I know. I just want to be left alone."
When I hear the lock click on the door, I get an idea. I take the phone over to the window, lifting it up. I have one bar. Maybe I can send a text.
Jacey: Bear help 15 mins from home take the road u just went by house will b on left side old dirty white.
I hit send and wait. Finally, right before my phone dies, it says the text was sent.
Bear
When I left the house this morning, I had a bad feeling. I should’ve stayed my ass at home, but I didn't listen to it, deciding to go ahead and go to the garage to get some work done, just like I do everyday. I couldn't take it anymore, the feeling got worse and I had to leave early. I don't know what it is, just a feeling like something bad is going to happen, something's not right. I get to the clubhouse and everyone is there except Pretty Boy because he's with Jacey. Walking in, I see Hanger sitting at the bar. Pulling up a seat next to him I ask, "Hanger, can you call church?"
He looks over to me. "Why?"
"Something's not right, brother. I can feel it."
"With what?"
"I don't know man. I think with all this shit with Lil Mama."
He shouts over the music, "Guys, church now!”
Everyone walks down the hall to the chapel. Taking our seats, he calls the meeting. "Bear, what's going on?"
"I don't know. Do you guys have anything? Anything at all? I feel something's about to happen."
"Whoever it is knows what the fuck they’re doing, Bear. We’ve done everything we can. I can’t find shit all on this person,” Hacker says.
"The fuck is going on?" I ask. "Do we have any ideas on who it could be?"
"None, that's the fucked part of it all."
"Could it be the stepdad?" Hanger asks.
"Not unless he has people watching her. I thought we handled that though." I get a call from Pretty Boy, and I know something’s wrong now. "Yeah?” I talk into the phone.
