This Broken Beautiful Thing

by Summers, Sophie

  This isn’t my Jace…Jace is gone….Raven is here and I’m afraid of Raven.

  His black hair is all messy; his face is red, eyes bloodshot.

  “Harley, it was a mistake… please come to me. I miss you. Come here.” Jace says sadly standing now with open arms looking from me to Hunter continuously as if trying to piece something together.

  I stand still and don’t say a word, the guys eventually let go of Jace but I can see they’re cautious.

  “Baby?” he says coming closer. I want to run away and lock myself in my room but I’m not sure if that can keep Jace away from me.

  “Come here…” he repeats seriously.

  “Now Harley!” he roars and I flinch. He walks closer to me and I back into Hunter. Hunter puts his hands on my shoulders protectively.

  Jace looks at Hunters hands then glares at Hunter full of hatred.

  “Better get those hands off my girl.” Jace says in a more quite tone but I can see the anger and it’s about to resurface any moment.

  “Raven brother, you need to quit, you’re scaring her.” Hunter says from behind me.

  “Don’t fucking tell me what to do! You don’t know shit about her! You think you can just come here and take her away from me? You’re not my fucking brother! She’s mine!” Jace jumps for Hunter behind me ignoring the fact that I’m standing in the middle. He grabs Hunters shoulder tackling him, in the process elbowing me in the nose and tackling me too. I land on the ground with a heavy oomph, the air is smacked out of me by the force of the fall on the tiled floor. I managed to crawl away from the two boys who are now punching and fighting each other. I feel a few hands help me up but I push them away, I can’t stand to have any man’s hands on me right now. I look at the floor and see blood.

  Oh God no…please not again.

  I look to see if the blood is coming from between my legs and notice it’s on my shirt. I touch my nose and wince. My nose is bleeding. Thanking God my baby wasn’t hurt I ignore the pain in my face from being elbowed and cover my nose with the sleeve of my jacket.

  “Get a fucking sedative! Hurry!” someone shouts and I turn my attention back to the two boys that are rolling on the floor.

  “You don’t get her Hunter, not her! You can have everything but her! She’s mine!” Jace says as he pushes Hunter into the table causing beer bottles and glass to fly everywhere.

  I watch as a few guys attempt to stop them but Hunter tells them to stay out of it.

  Hunter doesn’t say anything, he doesn’t punch Jax back and instead he keeps trying to block the punches coming from Jace’s fist.

  “I got him, hold the boy down!” I watch as someone brings a syringe near Jace.

  “No! Don’t hurt him!” I cry out but it’s too late the guy has already injected Jace. I watch as Jace’s body becomes clumsy and Hunter places him on the ground. I crawl up to Jace and place his head on my lap. His eyes are droopy and I can see he is fighting for control. He looks like a little boy in my arms.

  “I’m so sorry I left, I just needed some space away from here…I’m so sorry Jace. I don’t want to cause you pain.” My hand strokes his cheek and he gives me a small smile.

  “Need you baby. Don’t leave me alone. It’s dark inside.” He says breathlessly putting his hand over his heart. I bend down and kiss his forehead. As I lift my head to look down at him, he’s already fast asleep.

  “Harley, let the boys put him to bed and let’s clean you up.” Hunter says as the guys pull Jace away from me. Hunter picks me up and leads me to the bathroom.

  He sits me on the counter and wets a cloth, he brings it to my nose and I wince. “Sorry Princess…” he mumbles.

  He cleans all the blood away from my face and wipes my hands down. I look at his face noticing a small cut and swelling around his jaw.

  “That boys my brother but he’s not good for you babe. He’s got too much shit going on in his head and it’s going to kill him one day or worse…hurt you.” Hunter says softly. He looks sad, I saw how hurt he looked when Jace told him that he wasn’t his brother. I don’t say anything instead get another cloth and start wiping away the blood off his face. He gives me a sad smile and stands there as I clean him up.

  He helps me off the counter and I head to my room to change into pajamas. I place a large shirt of Jace’s on and my normal sleep shorts.

  The apartment is a mess and it’s very quiet. Everyone has either gone to sleep or has left. I peek inside Jace’s room to find him sleeping on his bed. I close his door and quietly walk down the passage towards the kitchen, after getting an ice bag for my nose I spot another door open, one I haven’t been in before. I find Hunter sitting on the bed, he hasn’t got a shirt on and I see his back covered in tribal designs, his head is resting in his hands looking so torn and sad. I just want to give him a hug and tell him everything is going to be okay.

  I walk quietly into the room, he doesn’t notice me coming in. I sit next to him on the bed and rest my cheek on his shoulder. His body relaxes and he sits up straight looking down at me, I notice his watery eyes. I pick up the ice bag that was intended for my nose and place it gently on his jaw. He covers my hand with his.

  “Thanks Princess.” He says continuing to use my pet name. I don’t mind though, if that’s what makes him feel better.

  I place my arms around his waist and place my cheek on his chest. I know he doesn’t expect it because he tenses for a few seconds before relaxing against me. He places the ice bag on the bed next to him and wraps both arms around me.

  “I’m sorry Hunter, all of this is my fault, I shouldn’t have left like that. It’s what I do…I run. I’m sorry. Jace didn’t mean what he said to you, he was just upset. He is your brother and will always be. He loves you very much, if he didn’t you’d probably be dead by now.” I squeeze my arms.

  “Christ, you really are a life size Teddy Bear. Ya’ know sometimes we big guys need hugs too.” Hunter says into my hair.

  I giggle, “He told you about that huh?”

  “Yeah Rave tells me everything. He didn’t tell me about the baby though.” Hunter says and I freeze at his announcement.

  “Don’t worry babe, God knows I can’t judge.” Hunter says looks intently at me as I pull away. He places the ice bag on my nose.

  “How’d you find out? And how did you know where I was?” I ask him taking hold of the ice bag now.

  “Fucking Rachelle called Jace and I had his phone so I answered it. She told me she was worried about you running around this time of the night with those college boys in your state and that you were upset. So I asked what she meant and she told me, I now understood why you were sick earlier too. Called Jesse to see if you were with him and he said you weren’t but told me you might be at the park. Didn’t expect to see you with the Jock though.” Hunter says grunting at the mention of “The Jock”.

  “You don’t have to scowl like that every time you mention him. He’s actually a great guy. We’ve probably been friends for as long as Caleb and I were, never best friends though. We only really became close these last few years.” I lie down on his bed looking at the ceiling holding the ice against my nose. I sound as if I have a blocked nose but the ice is easing the pain.

  “I may be able to control my anger but Jace can’t, don’t ever let him see you like I did with that boy tonight, you hear me?” Hunter says in a firmer tone he’s never used on me before.

  “Okay…” I say quietly.

  “Who’s Caleb.” he asks.

  “An ex.” I simply say hoping he doesn’t ask any more questions.

  He nods his head, I raise the ice pack and he takes it from me and places it back on his jaw.

  “This is the only family I have. I have no one else. This club…is all I have.” Hunter says quietly almost as if talking to myself. I lie on my side and rest my head on my folded arm.

  “Daddy and Anna are all I have. Momma back home doesn’t really want me…I think I was a reminder of everything she couldn’t have, all
the things she missed out on because she gave birth to me. She only kept me so she wouldn’t be alone and to spite daddy. She left me alone a lot though. You’d think I would learn from her mistakes right?” I let out a chuckle, “Funny, I’m sitting in her situation now too. At least I had daddy…my baby isn’t going to have one.”

  “You have us Harley don’t you worry, your baby will have plenty of fathers to fill that role. You’ll never be like your mother, don’t ever compare yourself to that woman. Come here.” He says pulling me into his arms. We lay there together in silence. After a few minutes I decide I better get to bed.

  “Goodnight Hunter, thank you for everything.” I said kissing his cheek and stepping away from him.

  “Night Princess, sleep well. I’ll make sure prince charming doesn’t choke on his own vomit in his sleep. Damn idiot was wasted.” Hunter says shaking his head.

  I fell asleep quickly knowing Hunter would make sure Jace was okay. I prayed the drug was strong enough to keep Jace from having nightmares.

  CHAPTER 14:

  I woke up to the sound of a door closing and then I felt movement behind me in the bed. I kept still and acted as if I was asleep. I felt their large hard body snuggle against mine and I smelt their minty breath as they kissed my shoulder. As soon as he placed his hand under my shirt onto my belly I knew who is was.

  Jace must have just got out the shower; his skin was soft and his scent fresh. He shaved too as I felt his soft chin against my collarbone as he lifted the hair away from my neck and placed it higher on the pillow giving me a soft kiss on my neck letting his lips linger there for a few seconds, I couldn’t stop the shivers from running through my body.

  The room was still dark with curtains closed, even though it was about midday only a slit of light came through. My body was a little stiff and my nose hurt like a bitch.

  “It was a mistake…it meant nothing.” He whispers against my neck. I flinch…Please tell me he didn’t feel that. Please…

  I lay there hoping an apology will finally make its way out of his mouth but nothing comes. He’s not sorry about what he did…only sorry he got caught. It feels like a repeat episode…memories of what happened the night I caught Caleb come rushing in.

  “I know you’re awake baby please talk to me.”

  “It doesn’t matter Jace. I don’t care what you two did.” I say in a ruff soft voice.

  “You don’t care?” he says as he tenses behind me.

  “Jace…you can do whatever you want, we are not attached or anything, you’re not my boyfriend. I don’t care what you do and who you do it with.” as I say the words out loud I know I’m lying, they are so far from the truth. I don’t know why but I want Jace, I want all of him and I don’t want to share him but I’m done being weak in front of these men. I’ve been weak and look where it got me? I need to keep my distance from these men, I need space.

  “Really?” he says letting out a deep breath as if my statement just gave him freedom. Guess it did.

  I turn to look at him. “Yeah Jace, all good.”

  His eyes widen, “Shit baby what happened?” he gently touches my nose and I wince and pull away from him.

  I climb out of bed and leave a dumbstruck Jace staring at me as I make my way to the joined bathroom, I don’t want him to see me breakdown. I close the door and lean against it and whisper, “You happened Jace…”

  I wipe away the tears and look into the mirror, the bridge of my nose is just a little purple but I’m sure some make up will cover it up fine.

  I make my way back to my room expecting Jace to be exactly where I left him but he’s gone. I pick out clothes and head for a shower.

  I’m busy putting makeup on in front of my floor length mirror when Anna walks in with a plate of pancakes, the smell makes my stomach rumble.

  “Afternoon babes, how you feeling? Oh my God! Who did this?” Anna says cupping my chin and placing the food on the counter so she can inspect me.

  “It’s okay, I’m okay it was just a wrong place - wrong time thing. Someone bumped into me. It’s cool I swear.” I smile at her and continue to put foundation on my face to cover my nose up.

  “And the baby? Are you sure you’re fine? Maybe we should go to the doctor sweetie.” Anna says worriedly as she starts making my bed for me then sits on it.

  “I’m fine mom thank you. What time is dad opening the bar today?” I say grabbing the plate and sitting on the bed next to her. She smiles at me and grabs a pancake off my plate.

  “In about an hour babe, it’s already after lunch sweetie. Your dads not in a good mood honey, especially after coming back to find our home wrecked, he was furious with the boys but they don’t want to say who’s to blame. Do you know what happened?” she asks me curiously.

  “No actually I was out last night. I met up with a friend of mine.” I smile thinking about Brent.

  “That’s great Harley, I’m so happy for you.” She says giving me half a hug.

  “Oh Honey before I forget I made an appointment for you for Friday with the doctor.” She says excitedly.

  “Thank you for everything, you don’t know how much I appreciate everything you and daddy have done for me. I’m sorry for how I behaved the other night, I just-” I pull away from the hug and she interrupts me putting her hands up.

  “No no no, don’t apologize for what you did. You did great, you are such a brave strong girl don’t let anyone change you. You stood up for what was right. You were right Harley. Well in your mind that’s what you thought was right. You’ve only been here for a little while honey but you’ll see how those girls behave around our men. You may stand up for them but don’t ever expect them to do the same. They’ll walk over any woman just to get into this club. Be careful my love, I’m so proud of you Harley.” She says before giving me another tight hug before leaving.

  After eating the pancakes and making my way out my room I see Jace’s door is closed so I continue my way down the hall to the stairs. The house is clean and there’s no evidence of what happened last night. Apart from a missing table and a few ornaments the place looks the same as it did two days ago.

  There’s a few guys laying on the sofas in the lounge and they greet me as I pass. I make my way down the stairs to the bar as Jesse walks through the kitchen with a few clean glasses from the kitchen.

  “Harley! How you doing babe?” Jesse says as he sets the glasses on the bar and turns to give me a hug, I squeal when my feet lift off the floor and he spins me around.

  “Jesse stop!” I giggle wiggling out of his grip, he finally lets me down.

  “Baby girl, you’ve finally decided to get out of bed.” Dad teases as he gives me a hug.

  “Yeah sorry… wasn’t well last night and I guess my body was exhausted.” I make my way over to the glasses and start placing them on the shelves.

  “What’s wrong? Was it the baby? Are you two okay? Maybe you shouldn’t work this evening.” He says concerned and Jesse seated next to him looks just as worried as he waits for my response.

  I laugh at them, “No I want to work, besides tomorrow I have to collect my books so I can get a head start with my studies so I may only work a few hours. I’m working tonight, okay? Stop stressing.”

  “l always stress about you sweetheart.” My dad rumbles in his deep voice.

  I walk over to my father as he’s placing money in the register, “Daddy I want to talk to you about the other night. I want to apologize for-”

  He interrupts me, “No Harley don’t, let’s just forget that happened and move on. You don’t need any more stress than you already have from this club.”

  I kiss him on the cheek, I really wanted to talk to him about it but I don’t think now is the time or place to argue with him about it.

  “Can’t believe those fuckers wrecked my house.” He mutters to himself continuing to put money in the register, I look at Jesse and smile.

  The bar filled up soon enough and I managed to keep a distance from Jace and Hunters tab
le. There were a couple of guys sitting with them and also the usual girls hanging around too. Although I avoided his eyes I could feel them on me the entire evening.

  It was a little after midnight when only the club boys were left sitting around, Jessie and I started cleaning the tables while Anna was sorting out the tips and petty cash. I wasn’t as exhausted as my first night but my feet sure did hurt. I was standing behind the bar wiping it down when dad got a call. I watch him across the bar as he drank with his boys, his tone sounding angry and his face frowning. I watched as he threw the phone down and spoke to a couple guys. They rushed out of the bar, dad whispered into Jace’s ear and Jace nods to Hunter.

  The guys hurry out, Jace looks at me with a sad expression then walks out. I notice the gun tucked into the back of his pants.

  I hear Daddy telling Anna about another club on their turf that blew up a gas station just out of town. Then they’re all gone.

  “What the hell just happened?” Jesse says planting his ass on the stool in front of the bar.

  “Fucking Club North decided to make an appearance. Blew up a gas station, Grimm and the boys went to see if the cops had any clue to where the guys are hiding.” Hunter says pouring herself a drink and sitting next to Jesse.

  “Why aren’t you with them?” I ask him curiously.

  “Someone has to look after our woman, couple boys are on watch outside.” He says taking a sip. I notice the bruises aren’t as bad as they were last night and the cuts aren’t as red. He looks better.

  I make my way to the bathroom. I head out to wash my hands when I hear the door open and close behind me. I look in the mirror and see Rachelle leaning against the counter.

  I ignore her and continue to wash my hands.

  “Harley I know you probably regret everything you said that night when you defended me but I…” she falters and I take this as my opportunity to interrupt.

  “No Rachelle I wish I did regret it but I don’t. You shouldn’t let these guys walk all over you and use you like that.” I say feeling sorry for her.