Feeling brave I raise my hand, and it takes my friends off guard. I know this by the shocked looks on their speechless faces. As I step my foot on the mat, the sound of the front door closing catches my attention, and I find Jake standing there. Our eyes connect, and butterflies flutter in my stomach with his heated stare.
The instructor clearing his throat grabs my attention. When I turn my head giving him my attention he provides a quick glance to Jake. I give him a shoulder shrug and smile before introducing myself. "Hi, My name's Grace," I tell him and wipe my sweaty palms on my hips. You've got this. I say to myself and focus.
"Grace, nice to meet you. Class this is Grace, she's going to help me demonstrate two more defensive moves," he announces and instructs me to face forward and that he is going to grab me from behind. I turn my back to him, take a deep breath and ready myself. "Now," he says once he wraps his arms around mine, pinning them at my side, "you want to grab your attacker's arms and pull them in."
He doesn’t get to finish his explanation because my training kicks in and I kind of zone out. Swinging my hips to the side, I shift my body, make a fist and land a solid punch to his groin area, which gives me the opportunity to pivot around. Interlocking my hands behind the back of his neck, I proceed to bring my knee upwards and again striking him in the groin causing him to double over which gives me time to run. When I turn to flee, I don’t get far because I face plant into Jake's chest.
"Little Bird," Jake grabs my attention.
I turn my head and look over my shoulder to find the instructor on one knee holding himself and catching his breath. Shit. "Grace," he coughs, "I think you should have warned me that you've had training before, that way I could have been better prepared," Rhett says standing.
A soft chuckle vibrates through Jake's chest as I bury my face. "You're fucking perfect," he rumbles.
15
Jake
I'm on my way to the warehouse to meet up with Demetri, and some of the guys when my mind keeps playing the conversation I had with Grace this morning. Remi asked if Quinn could take her to school this morning so, I called up my brother and asked him to come to my house first to pick her up instead of going straight to the bakery. Grace has gotten better about Remi riding on Quinn's bike. I for one was all for the change of plans this morning because it gave me the chance to make my woman scream without the worry of her daughter hearing us. And scream is what Grace did when I ate her pussy in the shower making her come all over my face before I buried myself balls deep inside her from behind making her come a second time. Once we were done, she was quick to remind me that we once again did not use any protection.
"If I didn't know any better I'd think you were purposely trying to knock me up," she jokes.
"I am," I tell her without a bit of humor in my voice. "And I think you want that too, don't ya, Little Bird?" Coming up behind her as she stands in the closet looking for something to wear, I place my hands on her hips and let my breath fan the back of her neck when I speak again. "I think you like my cock bare inside that sweet pussy of yours. You like the idea of being round with my baby, don't ya?" I growl into her ear.
"Yes," she rasps, her body melting into mine. Her confession has made my cock hard once again, and I fuck her hard and fast against the wall giving us both what we want.
I wasn't lying when I said I wanted to knock her up. The first time we were together, it was not my intention, but since then, yeah, I would love a family with Grace. And if it doesn't happen, then I'm okay with that too. I have her; I have Remi, my club, and my brothers. I have nothin' to complain about.
It's been two weeks since the incident at the clubhouse with Liz, and Grace opening up to me more has made our relationship stronger. I feel I now have her complete trust, though the tension with her ex is still palpable. Not to mention the past two weeks of sittin' on our asses have been pure fuckin' torture.
The club has been waiting on Demetri's cargo and men to arrive before we make a move. O'Rourke has eyes in Chicago, and as of two days ago all with the De Burcas' has been quiet. Ronan and his father have been in Boston for a week and arrived back in Chicago two nights ago. Our plan of attack is not an intricate one. O'Rourke knows Ronan's schedule like the back of his hand. Lucky for us the motherfucker is a creature of habit. He has the same routine day in and day out; right down to the time of day he visits his whore each night.
Myself, Demetri, his men, along with Quinn will fly out to Chicago by weeks end. Grace knows what's comin' and is nervous and scared somethin' is going to happen to one of my men or me. I've tried talkin' to her and do everything I can to ease her mind, but I know my words fall on deaf ears.
I also made the call for Logan, Reid, and Gabriel to stay behind with the club. My boys did not like my decision, but in the end, they have small children and are just starting their families. No way was I putting them in the kind of situation I was stepping into. After putting up a fight, all three relented and accepted what was. As their president, I will always put their best interest first.
A couple of years ago, I would not have thought twice about bringing them along, but now with them married and having families that depend on them. I could not allow that. I don't know what to expect while in Chicago, all I know is one way or another I will end Ronan De Burca and my woman can finally be free.
Parking my bike next to Demetri's SUV, I cut the engine, climb off and make my way inside. Taking my shades off, I place them on top of my ball cap and peer around the warehouse. My sights land on Logan first who is standing next to Gabriel. I give both of them a chin lift before cutting my eyes to Demetri who is standing with Victor, his right-hand man along with four other men.
"Jake," Demetri greets offering me his hand.
"Demetri," I return, "all this mine?" I asked gesturing to the twelve crates stacked behind him.
"Yes. I have everything Quinn requested. I have to say I do like his taste."
"Fuckin' Quinn," I mutter under my breath and that earns a few snickers from Logan and Gabriel. "Let's open these up and see what we got."
Using a drill Victor opens the first crate. When I peer inside, I can't hold back my bark of laughter. "That little shit."
"What we got, Prez?" Logan asks coming up beside me. "Hell, fuckin' yeah. This is what I'm talkin' about," he says pulling an M79 40mm Grenade Launcher from the container and I grab one as well.
"Is the plan still the same?" Demetri asks, bringing me out of my analysis of the M79.
"Yes, my original plan is still on course," I affirm placing the weapon back in the crate.
"Prez, I want you to reconsider lettin' me in on this," Gabriel argues. "I don't like you going in without me havin' your back."
I give Gabriel my full attention. "I'm not changin' my mind on this one, son. I pulled Demetri and his men in on this for a reason. You and Logan are to stay in Polson with our family. I'm countin' on you all to keep everyone here safe. The club has never gone up against an organization as big as the De Burcas' and no way am I leavin' our women and children unprotected. Should things not go as planned I will not be responsible for leaving those woman and children without husbands and fathers. You got me, son?"
Running his tattooed hand through his hair, Gabriel sighs, "Yeah Prez, I got ya."
Later that night I'm woken up by the sound of someone banging on my front door. Knifing up in bed my body is on high alert. Peering at the clock on the table next to the bed, I see it's 1:00 am. Who the fuck would be knocking on my door at this time? Must be one of my brothers. By the persistent pounding, my guess is whatever it is that has them at my house is not good.
Getting out of bed, I snatch my jeans off the bedroom floor and tug them on. "Who is it, Jake?" Grace's sleep filled voice asks with concern. "Go back to sleep, baby. It's probably one of the guys."
Grace studies the clock and sits up a little straighter. "It's 1:00 am in the morning, Jake. Something must be wrong," she says getting up and making her way into the closet and th
rowing on a pair of shorts and a t-shirt.
Knowing how stubborn my woman is, I don't argue with her as she follows me out of the bedroom and down the hall toward the front door. On the way, we pass Remi who is standing at the end of the hallway by her room. "Mom, what's going on?"
At Remi's weary voice Grace heads straight for her daughter. Giving Grace and Remi a reassuring smile, I continue my trek to the front of the house. Punching my code into the alarm panel, I swing the door open and bark, "You better have a good fuckin' reason for bangin' on my door at 1:00 am, brother," I tell a stone-faced Bennett. When I see Lisa standing behind him on my porch, I get a dreaded feelin' in my gut.
"What happened?"
"The garage is on fire, Jake."
"What the fuck? What the hell happened?" I ask over my shoulder while picking up my boots that were sitting by the front door and pull them on; then I grab my cut and keys hangin' on the hook.
"I don't know what happened, Prez. Logan called me. He said he got a call from the alarm company. Logan told me to get my ass over here. He said you weren't answering your phone. Logan, Gabriel, and all the other guys are headed there now."
I turn to Grace. "You stay here. I need to go deal with this shit," then turn to Bennett and Lisa, "Will you two stay here with Grace and Remi?"
"No!" Grace rushes out. "I'm going with."
"No fuckin' way, babe. It's too dangerous. I want you here with Bennett." But as she goes about lacing up her tennis shoes, I know there will be no arguing.
"Fuck," I growl under my breath. "Bennett, will you and Lisa stay with Remi?"
Lisa answers, "Of course we will."
Grace rushes back over to her daughter and whispers something in her ear, and Remi nods hugging her mom.
Hopping in my truck, I peel out of the driveway and head towards the garage. We are a mile away from Kings Custom, and I can already see the smoke and flames. "Son of a bitch!" I curse and pound my hand on the steering wheel. The same time Grace gasps from the passenger seat and covers her mouth with her hand. When the garage comes into full view, we're met with two fire trucks and several police cars. Parking next to one of the squad cars, I take Grace's hand in mine and motion for her to slide out of the truck on my side. "Stay close to me, baby."
Rounding the hood of my truck, I'm met with Logan, Gabriel, Reid, and Quinn. My boys look tired as fuck, and the look in Logan's eyes is one of defeat but also suspicion. "Do any of you know what the hell happened here?"
"Fuck, Prez. No clue," Logan says. "By the time I got the call from the alarm company and got here, the whole fuckin' place was ablaze. Everything is gone, Jake. Fuck," he says running his hand down his face and hangs his head.
Several hours have passed, and the only thing the guys and I can do is watch as Kings Custom burns to the ground. Fifty-five years of Delane history--of my life gone in a matter of hours.
"Are you Jake Delane?" A man in a fire suit asks me.
"Yeah man, that's me," I reply offering my hand.
"I'm Chief Sims. I wanted to come introduce myself and catch you up on the situation," He tells me shaking my hand.
"I want to start by saying I appreciate the hard work you and your men did to try and save my garage."
"You're welcome, Mr. Delane. We're just doing our job. I'm sorry we couldn't save the place."
"Any idea what caused the fire?" Reid cuts in.
He shakes his head. "It's hard to say without further investigation. Officer Carver said the alarm company was alerted to a possible break-in. With that being said, we can't rule out arson. I'll be heading the investigation and will get back with you and Polson P.D."
At the mention of arson, my body tenses and I see my brothers have the same reaction. "You sayin' someone purposely burned my garage down?"
"Yes sir, that's what I suspect. I'll know more by the end of the day tomorrow. Unless you gentlemen have any more questions for me, I need to get back to work."
"No, Chief, no more questions. Thanks again."
With that, he goes back to help his men deal with the massive fuckin' mess at hand. A few seconds later I realize Grace has gone quiet and I also recognize the death grip she has on my hand. Looking at her, I see she has lost all color in her face.
"Baby, what's wrong?" I asked pulling her into me. When she doesn't answer and continues to stare at me like she's not even seeing me, I give her shoulder a slight shake.
"Little Bird, talk to me."
Moments later she comes back to me and chokes out, "It was him."
"What?" I ask, but have a feeling I already know the answer.
"It's Ronan. He found me, and he's here. This is him letting me know." Grace sobs with tears running down her face.
"Baby, we can't know for sure this was him. The club has had eyes on him. Ronan is in Chicago." I try to reassure her, but Grace shakes her head frantically back and forth. "No, Jake. It's him. You always tell people to trust their gut instinct. Well, I'm telling you my gut and everything that is in me says he did this."
This time Grace's look is one of pleading. She needs for me to believe her; I do. When I turn my attention back to my brothers, I see they overheard what Grace said, and they too believe her. Without wasting time, I begin barking orders. "Logan, Gabriel, and Reid, you three haul ass home. Pack up your woman and kids and get your asses back to the clubhouse, we're on lockdown. Quinn, you get on the phone and have Blake go to Sam and Leah's apartment, I want them at the clubhouse as well. Then have Austin find out if Emerson is at home or work, tell him to escort her to the clubhouse. This motherfucker has no problem going after anyone associated with the club or us, so that means I want your parents and sister on lockdown too. We're not taken any chances. I'm going to call Bennett and Lisa, have them bring Remi in while Grace and I ride out to my folk's place. On the way there, I'll call O'Rourke and find out what the hell is going on with De Burca. I expect to see all of you back at the compound within an hour."
With the last of my orders handed out, my boys give me a chorus of, "Yes sir." Before they walk off, we are interrupted by O'Rourke's car flying into the garage parking lot. He barely gets the vehicle in park before he jumps out of the driver side with his phone to his ear and he's making a beeline for Grace.
"It's Glory. She's in the hospital."
16
Grace
I have to grab hold of Jake's forearm the moment Finn says Glory's name. The look on his face telling me all I need to know that something is wrong. The knot in the pit of my stomach starts to grow heavier with each breath I take as I wait for Finn to get off the phone.
"That was her father," Finn says on an exhale, as he puts his phone away. "She's in the hospital. Shit, Grace, she's been attacked and it's pretty bad," his eyes darted from mine to Jake, then back to me again.
"It was Ronan wasn’t it?" I ask, already knowing the answer.
"We don’t know anything…" he tries to say, but I cut him off.
"Bullshit. You and I both know who did this." I wave my hands towards the licking flames from Jake's garage. "That is their work, and it's too much of a coincidence that my best friend is in the hospital too," I proclaim.
With all the chaos around us, I take a deep breath. I'm no good to anyone if I lose my shit. Remi is safe for now. There is nothing that can be done that the fire department isn’t already doing at this moment. I make my mind up. I know it’s a risk, but I have to go to Glory. She put herself in harm's way for me, and now it's my turn to be by her side. "Someone needs to take me to North Dakota," I demand.
"Dammit, Grace, if this is Ronan's handy work he'll be waiting for you to make a move." Finn does his best to explain, but I'm not having any of it. I'm fed up.
Grabbing my shoulders, Jake coaxes me to turn and face him. "Babe, I can't risk letting you go after all this."
"I'm not asking for yours or Finn's permission, Jake. I'm going." I defend my decision and stand my ground. His expression softens with my determination.
"Alri
ght, let me make a few arrangements, then we can get on the road." Kissing my forehead, he leaves me standing with Finn.
"You know how dangerous this trip will be, Grace. If he knows where you are he won't let up," Finn says with a sigh.
"I know, but I can't keep going on this way. He's taken too much of my life already, and I won't allow him to keep me in fear and on the run any longer. I damn sure won't let him hurt the people I love and if that means putting myself in harms way then that's what I'll do," I finish as I keep my eyes on Jake, who now has his phone to his ear.
As we stand to watch the fire diminish under the pelting of the water, I feel a calm wash over me. For some reason, at this moment I think this is a pivotal turning point in my life. I've got my life back, and I'm prepared to fight for it. I won't let demons from my past take up space with their existence any longer.
Jake slides his phone into his back pocket and walks back our way. "I've got things sorted here for now. Demetri and a couple of his men are coming with us. They have a couple large sized SUV's we can ride in," he tells Finn and me.
"And Remi?" I ask.
"We can stop by the clubhouse on our way, Little Bird," Jake says as we load into his truck, and Finn climbs into his to follow us.
The ride out to the compound is filled with silence. Both of us lost in thought.
When we arrive, I can't get out of the truck fast enough to check on my daughter. Jake grabs my hand in his and leads me inside pass a few members of the club milling around near the bar talking and straight up the stairs. We stop in front of a bedroom door, and he lightly taps on it. A second later Lisa opens the door and lets us pass. "How are you guys holding up?" She asks with a weary, tired smile.
"We're doing alright, Lisa. I take it everyone hasn’t made it here yet?" Jake runs his hand through his messy hair and questions her.
"No. I imagine they should start showing up within the hour. You know it takes time to load up a whole family in the middle of the night. They'll get here soon enough," she pats him on his forearm.
UNBREAKABLE: The Kings of Retribution MC Page 12
