Jada’s face fell. She didn’t have a problem with the women coming over to celebrate the upcoming birth of Addy and Whisk’s little boy, but she would have like to have been told about it. Tried to figure out a way to get a gift or something.
“Hey, I meant to tell you about it after dinner, but it looked like you needed some space.” Jinx put his hand through the door. Hanging from two of his fingers was a shopping bag. “I figured you wouldn’t want to be empty handed, so I picked up some shit. I already gave Maddie’s hers, and we wrapped it.” Why couldn’t she have fallen for a man like Jinx? He was thoughtful, kind, caring, and hot as hell. Shit, all the RBMC members she had met were, so she asked one time if it was a requirement. Brass had gotten grumpy and left the room. Jinx had just laughed. But for some reason, her heart laid with the ass of the group, lucky her.
“Jinx, I really appreciate it,” Jada took the bag, thanking him for the heads-up. “I’ll pay you back for this. it was really thoughtful of you to think of it.”
“Nah, it was nothing, Jada. If you could go out, I’m sure you would have found something better. I just hit the Harley store.”
“The Harley store has baby stuff?” Jada questioned, she herself never having been in one of those stores.
“Oh, yeah, they have all kinds of stuff. Anyway, I’m going to give you some time to get ready. You have about a half hour before all hell breaks loose. I bought some wine and beer too and put a couple of bags of chips and dip on the kitchen counter.”
“Thanks again, Jinx, I really mean it.” When Jinx left, shutting the door behind him, the first thing Jada did was open the bag and look inside. It had two of the cutest onesies she had ever seen. The first one was tie-dyed with little motorcycle’s going in a spiral, and the second said Future Riding Buddy. He had even included a little, stuffed motorcycle and a pair of baby Harley boots. There was a collapsed gift box, some wrapping paper, scissors, and tape at the bottom of the bag. He had thought of everything, even a card.
Taking a couple of minutes to wrap the gift and sign the card, Jada changed her clothes again, this time going for jeans and a nicer shirt. Again, she regretted not having time for a shower, but she put her hair up in a messy bun, slapped some makeup on her face, and called it good.
She had just made it into the family room, gift in hand, when the Old Ladies, with a few friends in tow, showed up. They were a friendly group, and Jada liked watching and listening to them tell stories. Carri was clearly the crazy one, Cathy more like the mom, and Addy was so pregnant she looked miserable. Reagan was funny and engaging, and Tessa was just Tessa. But there was another woman Jada couldn’t seem to keep her focus away from. She stood off to the side, laughed when appropriate, but every time the woman looked away, she wrinkled her nose like she didn’t agree or didn’t want to be there, but she was always looking around the room, almost like she was trying to find something wrong with Brass’ house. When she excused herself to go to the kitchen to get something to drink, Jada followed.
She was standing at the kitchen, looking out the window, drinking a glass of water when Jada walked in. Not usually one to stand on formalities, Jada said what she’d been thinking.
“You’re the one, you’re the woman that fucked Brass up. How can you even be here in his house?”
Suzie turned around and said, “Excuse me?”
“It’s you!” Jada said. “You made that strong brave man feel like he was less than, and I want to know why?”
“I don’t know what you're talking about,” Suzie said and tried to walk, but Jada stopped her.
“No, I really want to know why. I’ve been watching you all night. You call these women your friends, but you look down on them like you did Brass. Why are you even here if you feel that way? Why the act?”
“Listen, Jada, you don’t know the whole story, and this conversation is really starting to piss me off, so if you wouldn’t mind getting out of my way,” Suzie said, but Jada wasn’t done yet.
“No, I don’t think I will. These people have become my friends, some even family. I’ve heard about you, how nice you are and good at your job, you’re an investigator, right? Maybe that is it, you’re so used to playing the part, you just keep doing it.”
“Whatever,” Suzie said, crossing her arms over her chest. “You don’t know me, so trying to figure anything out is useless. Plus, those people out there, the ones you think are your friends and family, I’ve known them for years. You’ve known them for what, a couple of months? Who do you really think they would believe if you started talking about this shit? One thing I can tell you for sure is Chance isn’t going to be your Knight in Shining Armor. He’ll play the part, does it well, but the tarnish quickly builds. Best you learn that now.”
“See, I don’t think I need to learn anything, Suzie. I already know what’s important. You, on the other hand, have your nose so far up in the air, you can’t see what’s right in front of your face. Because when you polish up all that gruff, tough, sarcastic ass that is Brass, he shines just as bright as the purest gold. He’s the type of man who has tea parties with a scared little girl and lets her get away with anything. The woman he chooses will want for nothing—love and affection, protection and loyalty, shit, he would place her on a pedestal and never let her down, that’s the kind of man Brass is.
“He tried to give that to you, but you turned him down. I'm guessing you didn’t turn down his dick though, did you? Just wanted to keep all your options open and have a little fun on the side, right? I’ve met people like you my entire life. You’re a user and I think it is about time you left this house.”
“You want him,” Suzie laughed. “That’s why you are saying this stuff to me.”
“Nope, wrong again. I don’t just want him, I love him. But he still wants you, and you still have those claws skin and mind deep, don’t you?” Jada wanted to smack herself for admitting that to Suzie. She hadn’t even had a chance to admit it to herself. “Done with this conversation.” Jada turned to walk out of the kitchen. “Leave, Suzie, make your excuses and just go.”
Chapter Fifteen
Brass rushed home after hearing Suzie and Jada were going to be in the same room. He wasn’t sure why; it wasn’t like they knew each other or that Suzie would all of a sudden start talking about him fucking her, he just felt like he needed to be there.
He had decided to go in the backdoor but stopped when he heard two women talking, specifically Jada and Suzie. Shit, he should have known all it would take was Jada being in the same room with Suzie, and she would figure it out. Jada always sat back and watched, and Suzie wore her expressions on her face like a fucking neon billboard sign. He had seen them all before—the sneer, the disgust all of it. He had just chosen to dismiss them because he wanted her in his life. Now, he realized he wanted the idea of her, not actually Suzie.
But Jada was right, she had fucked him up good. Walking back to his bike, he decided he would go back to the club when he saw the bright red cherry on the end of a cigarette glow back by the tree line. Going over, he found Jinx leaning up against a tree.
“You heard?”
It was a simple question, but Brass wasn’t about to answer it, he had heard he just didn’t like the idea that Jinx had heard that shit too.
“You know, I’ve wondered about something for a while now, brother. You talk about quality pussy, how it’s the best damn thing out there, and to find it you have to search until it is yours, but you’ve had quality for months now, and you just keep on pushing it away. Going back to that same old snatch who doesn’t think the air you breathe is good enough to share.
“Don’t feel like talking? That’s okay because I’m kind of feeling the need tonight. You know, if that girl,” Jinx said pointing at the house, “would give me the chance or look at me like she does you, I would take her and Maddie out of this house so fast, your head would spin. So, I’m going to give it to you straight. One more fuck up, brother, and I will make my move and do exactly that.”
“Are you threatening me, brother?” Brass sneered.
“No, man, I’m telling you and making a promise, at the same time. I’m not going to stand by and watch as you keep making Jada cry, she doesn’t deserve that shit. Maddie is starting to notice too, so watch yourself.”
“Fuck, man, don’t you think I want to?” Brass said, running his fingers through his hair in frustration. “She hasn’t told us everything, there are still things we don’t know. Hell, Jada just said it best in that fucking kitchen. Suz has been playing us too, and we are so caught up in the shit at the Club and Tuck, none of us caught on to it. We are the fucking professionals here, Jada was a clerk at a department store. Even Boone has been pulling shit down at the Clubhouse, and no one was there to do anything about it. How can I just say to hell with it all and just allow her in? Huh?”
“Damn, Brass, you’re grasping at fucking straws here, one thing has nothing to do with the other. Link called and filled me in on Boone and Misty, and that shit will be taken care of quietly. As for Suzie, you were the only one with the wool pulled over their eyes on that chick. She was useful to the Club, so we used her, plain and simple. Not a single brother, including Tuck, trusted her ass. That’s all you. Reagan, the other girls, those relationships go back for years and none of their men want to mess with it. They just keep their eyes and ears open.”
“Why the fuck am I just hearing this shit now? I’m a part of this damn club. That shit should have been relayed.”
“Nah, man, it shouldn’t. You had your head so far up that pussy, you didn’t know if you were coming or going. You wouldn’t have believed us, anyway. Plus, she’s already seeing some douchebag accountant down in Franklin even let her lease lapse and is thinking about moving there to be closer. We knew it was just a matter of time before things ended, badly.”
“Looks like you have company waiting on you. Might want to take some of that advice now.” Brass turned around, and sure enough, Suzie was waiting for him, leaning against his bike. But Jinx wasn’t done. “Remember what I said about Jada, brother, that shit was no lie. One more chance, then I’m going to take mine.”
“Fuck you, Jinx! That all you got? I expected more from you, man. Must be getting soft,” Brass growled, but Jinx was already gone. Figuring he better get this shit over with, he walked back to his bike and Suzie.
“She’s right, you know,” Suzie said.
Again, Brass just stood there, waiting for whatever she had to say next. It was becoming a habit he wasn’t sure he liked all that much.
“I’m leaving Defiance next week, and I’m not coming back.”
Brass nodded but didn’t say anything else which apparently pissed women off. Hell, what was he supposed to say? Thanks for the fucking, it was good for a while until it wasn’t.
“So, that’s it then after all this time, all these years of you of you pursuing me? You’re just going to let me go?” Suzie asked.
“Fuck, Suz, what do you want me to say? There isn’t anything to fight to keep you here. You wanted to fuck, you called me, and I came. Gave it to you good. After you got off a couple of times, you couldn’t get me out the door fast enough. The only reason you’re even saying this shit now is someone else wants my ass, and you want to keep all your options open.
“But, babe, the ride is over. I haven’t been coming around, and I won’t be, that shit is done. Go off to Franklin with your new man and live a happy fucking normal life where you get your white picket fence and acceptable social standing. Where your man works nine-to-five in his nice, pretty suit, comes home, eats the dinner you cook him, and fucks you for three minutes at the end of the night with the lights off. Then pats you on the ass turns over and goes to sleep. I don’t fucking care.
“My eyes are wide open now, Suz, I can see beyond the pretty blue eyes, blonde hair, and big tits. I can also see the person you let everyone see isn’t the real you. You don’t let her come out to play until you want something and only when the cute wholesome girl act fails. I almost feel sorry for you.”
“Oh, don’t you worry about me, Chance, I will be just fine away from here.”
“Nah, you won’t but keep on believing that, Suzie and by the way, my name is Brass. Chance is the asshole who tried to change himself into something he’s not. Now, I suggest you take Jada’s advice and fucking leave because I can tell you, that chick is a crack shot. I wouldn’t want to get on her bad side.”
“Whatever, Chance, I would say good luck to you, but I won’t waste my breath. One of these days, I’ll be coming back to Defiance for your funeral.”
“Don’t bother, Suzie, even dead, you won’t be wanted here. Now, leave. I got a woman who I need to talk to.”
“She’ll see the real you, just like I did, Chance, and she’ll either run or hide, just like me, count on it.”
“Keep telling yourself that, Suzie, whatever makes this right in your mind, I don’t care. But while you're doing that, get in your car and leave.”
Brass didn’t stop to make sure that Suzie did, in fact, leave, he needed to talk with the woman who was standing at the window. He also needed to get down on his knees and ask her to forgive him, but he didn’t know if he could do it. He wasn’t that kind of man. He fucked up, often, but he didn’t make excuses for it. Maybe it was time to make a few changes that would actually do him some good this time. He had a feeling Jada would be worth the effort.
He walked to the door but stopped and leaned against the jamb, not sure what to do or say. He put his hands in his pocket and just took in the sight that was Jada. She was wearing a pair of tight jeans and some kind of flowy, pink shirt he hadn’t seen before that was tight around her boobs and loose around her waist. She was fidgeting with her fingers like she was nervous, but he was pretty sure he had never seen a more beautiful sight. She had told Suzie she loved him, and the truth was he wasn’t quite there himself, but he knew she could be the one who could make him go all the way. He and Jada said, “I’m sorry” at the exact same time, making Brass laugh a little. This was awkward and weird but good.
“Nah, Princess, you don’t have anything to be sorry for. I, on the hand, have a whole shit load of shit I need to say.”
“Brass, listen, I, don’t, okay just don’t. I saw you, I knew you were by the door, and I know you heard me saying those things to Suzie. I should have just kept my mouth shut. This is your house, and I had no right to get into your business. I just couldn’t take the way she was standing there looking at your home that way.”
“Did you lie or was what you said the truth?” Brass asked.
“I didn’t lie Brass. I don’t lie if I can help it, you should know that by now.”
“Yeah, I’m starting to figure that out, but I still need to apologize for earlier, in there,” Brass indicated the laundry room with his head. “I’m man enough to admit I have some shit fucking with my head, and I’m taking that out on you. That stops today.”
“I’d like that, but I think we might need to think about me going to stay with Tess and Creed or even Crank and Cathy. This situation is only hurting the both of us, and I don’t want it to trickle down to Maddie.”
“We can talk about it when the house isn’t so full of people,” Brass said, straightening up and walking toward Jada, pulling her into his arms, “but I’m going to tell you right now, Princess, I don’t like the idea of either of you leaving my house. It’s your home for as long as you want it. If someone needs to leave, will be me. I can hole up at the Clubhouse and visit Maddie, just like the rest of the Brothers do. You and Maddie's safety needs to come first. We’re still looking for Tuck, and we don’t know who’s looking for either of you. All channels are quiet which never means anything good, just means someone got smart. We have people out looking, trying to dig up stuff, but all that shit takes time. Understand?”
“Yeah,” Jada said, nodding against his chest.
The only thing Brass wanted to do right now was kiss the hell out of her, strip off her clothes,
and take her to his bedroom, but it was too soon and feelings for both of them too raw. He knew he couldn’t and wouldn’t be letting her leave, he just needed to figure out what he was going to do next to get his head straight.
Chapter Sixteen
Days went by, and things seemed to be getting better. Brass talked more, letting Jada into his life. After Maddie went to bed, they would spend the night talking on the porch. He told her about the years he spent in the military and his family—they weren’t very close, but he had a couple of brothers who would occasionally show up—and why he decided to join the RBMC.
Jada told him everything too, about how horrible it had been living in a house with a man who refused to claim her even though everyone in the household knew exactly what she was to him. That her mother chose to stay there living as his dirty little secret. How Mazie had just dropped Maddie off to her without telling her she had medical issues, and how the little girl had almost died in her care. Then Mazie’s constant coming and going, promising things to Maddie and never delivering. Using Maddie to get what she wanted or needed and always, always letting Jada know she could take her back at any minute. The hardest conversation, though, was her time with the gang and watching Mazie die. Brass listened to her and held her when it got hard, encouraging Jada to get it all out. He only asked one question—how had she made those shots? Jada could remember teasing him and laughing about her sharpshooting skills. It wasn’t a laughing matter, but she had needed to lighten the conversation and he let her.
Jada told him how when she was younger, the only place her father would ever take her was the gun range. Mazie didn’t like it because of the loud noise, but Jada had found it fun. She would imagine someone or something on that target and would shoot, releasing her anger, fear, and hate into the air. It was silly, kind of odd, and some people might even say mental, but it worked for her and had gotten her through a lot of bad shit in her life. Jada still held a membership where she lived.
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