"Come on, let me show you the house." I exited the car with my bag and followed Pyet up the garden path to the front door. He removed a bunch of keys from his pocket and used a long brass key to open the door. As it was opened a huge German Shepherd came hurtling towards us. Pyet bent down and rubbed the fur on its cheeks and around its neck, which it enjoyed. "Hello Wellard, have you been a good boy?"
"Yeah he's been good." I glanced down the hallway and saw a bloke not much older than myself walk towards us. "And who's this?" he asked looking me up and down, finally stopping when he noticed the bruising on my face. "Someone's been keeping you in line I see."
I narrowed my eyes, and knew immediately who this was. "Like father like son!" I whispered quietly.
Pyet stood close and whispered, "Behave yourself." He turned his attention to the young bloke and extended his arm, "Hi Richmond, this is going to be your new houseguest. I'm assuming your dad's told you about the arrangement."
He nodded his head slowly still looking at me intently, "Yeah he did, I just didn't expect the package to look like that."
I rolled my eyes but kept my mouth shut this time, there was no point trying to argue with this boy and explain that it was his father that damaged my face as by our brief conversation I could see that he was as arrogant as his father was.
"Do you want me to show Sam her room?" Pyet asked Richmond.
"Nah, I'll show her." My heart lurched in my chest as I didn't want to be left alone with a stranger, I was just hoping that my appearance would put him off from trying anything on with me.
"See you soon Sam," Pyet stated softly before giving me a quick kiss on the cheek. I felt sick at his closeness but would've preferred for him to stay.
"So my dad said that you'd be joining us from his whore house. Apparently you're a good shag and you've shown loyalty which I respect." He jogged up the stairs, "Follow me." He blurted out expecting me to chase after him.
I pulled the strap to my rucksack so that it balanced on my shoulder and slowly walked up the stairs holding onto the banisters as I was feeling light headed. Richmond stood further down the landing by an unopened door, "This will be your room until my dad states otherwise. Unpack your stuff, take a shower and then come and find me as I have some information that you'll want to hear." Richmond turned the brass handle and pushed on the door, the light shone through the room and a stream landed in the hallway.
I slowly made my way towards the room, the whole thing felt surreal. Less than twelve hours ago Spyder was beating the fuck out of me, and now he was putting me up in his house. I couldn't understand the change of heart, if he did like me the way Pyet said, why did he feel the need to assault me?
Walking into the room, I noticed how clean and tidy it was. The furniture, including the bed frame were white and the only other colour used was a subtle hint of lilac. Fresh flowers were displayed on the window cill and on the desk, and there were an array of picture frames around the room that were empty. I turned towards Richmond, "Are you sure this is my room?"
He rolled his eyes, "Yes I'm sure. Like I said unpack, take a shower and come find me." He closed the door and I heard it lock but I didn't care, I was too busy observing the bed and thinking about the good night's sleep I'd have in that. I further investigate the room and opened the wardrobe doors to see an array of women's clothing all in my size, there was also underwear and nightwear in the drawers in my size also. I walked towards a door in the far corner of the room and opened it wide expecting to see another cupboard but it was the entrance to an en suite. I jogged over to the bath and eagerly placed the plug in the hole before turning the taps on. After my ordeal I needed a long hot soak in the bath to sooth some of the pain and was planning to do this before I did anything else.
I had spent thirty minutes in the bath relaxing and tending to my wounds, I had mainly bruising but I also had a nasty cut on my stomach. I'd found a first aid kit in the bathroom and had cleaned and dressed the wound as best I could with my limited supplies, it didn't need stitches but it was nasty all the same.
Rather than getting into the clothes that I'd brought with me, I decided to take a proper look through the wardrobe and selected a simple outfit of black trousers and smart top making sure that it covered the bruises I had on my arms and upper body.
I was now ready to go in search of Richmond but I knew that he'd locked the door, I tried the handle to test it and was surprised when it opened. Maybe I was being tested, Richmond had mentioned that Spyder informed him of my loyalty and maybe this was just a game to see how loyal I actually was. The thing was though, it wasn't loyalty I was just so shit scared to step out of line through fear of what may happen to my sister or me.
I pulled the door open wide and poked my head out onto the landing, I could hear a television on in the distance and decided to go and see if he was there. I hoped that Spyder still wasn't home. I knew he was responsible for moving me here but he'd hurt me last night more than anyone had ever hurt me before. I had pure hatred for him, and I needed time for it to subside before I spoke to him otherwise I wouldn't be civil. We'd then end up getting into another fight and I hadn't recovered from the one last night yet. One thing I knew for sure, was that he wasn't going to get away with it, he'd humiliated me on so many levels now that he needed to pay for all the hurt he'd caused. I didn't know how or when but he would suffer and preferably by my own hands.
I walked towards the noise and stood at the opened door, "Richmond are you in here." I asked moving closer to the doorway.
"Yeah come in." I crept into the bedroom to see an array of assault rifles on his bed. He sat on the edge of the mattress cleaning a weapon lovingly with a cloth. "Do you shoot?"
"No," I said firmly. I had no desire to handle a firearm.
"Well you should, they're good for protection." He pointed the gun towards me and moved it side to side in quick succession between me and a chair by the window.
"When was the last time you called home?"
My eyes watered thinking about my family. I had a mother and father who loved me very much and a sister who I adored. We were so close and did everything together, that my disappearance must have been devastating for them initially. After three weeks of being in captivity, I was allowed to call home but I was instructed to tell my family that I'd gone travelling. I made up a story of being bored with my life and wanted a more exciting one, and that's why I'd decided to leave. I didn't like long drawn out goodbyes so I left quickly without telling anyone so I couldn't be persuaded to stay. I'd thought about them every single day but with the arrival of Lisa and Becky, it made me think about Jasmine more. She was my world, and was the reason I'd not tried to escape over the years. Spyder had shown me photo's of Jasmine, showing me her daily routine. He informed me that if I were to escape or go to the police, that she'd be trafficked or murdered. My sister's fate was in my own hands and I didn't need to make a decision because I'd automatically do anything within my power to make sure she was safe.
"I haven't spoken to them for about six weeks."
Richmond stood from the bed and made his way over to the small coffee table that sat in between two chairs. He picked up the phone that was on the table and punched a couple of numbers before handing the phone to me, "Dial their number and speak to them. You have five minutes and if there's any funny business, I won't hesitate to shoot you in the head." He lifted the handgun and placed it on the table between us.
I dialled the number that was etched in my memory and listened to it ring hoping that someone was in to answer. On the third ring it did.
"Hello."
It was Jasmine, my eyes watered and I moved my hand to cup my mouth.
"Hello is anyone there?"
That was Jasmine alright, stroppy as ever. "Jazz it's me, Sam." The line went quiet and at first I thought she'd hung up.
"Sam is that really you?"
"The one and only."
"How have you been? It's been so long since you contacted us, Mum and D
ad were going out of their minds with worry."
"I'm so sorry Jazz but they needn't worry, everything is fine." I glanced at Richmond as he held up four fingers indicating how long I had left. "Look Jazz I haven't got long as it costs a fortune to call home, so I need to know if everything's okay and I want a brief summary of what you've been up to."
"Oh okay," she said hesitantly. "Mum and Dad are fine, they've just come back from a two week holiday in Nice so they're lovely and brown." I smiled at the thought, they took two holidays a year and never went any further than Europe.
"And you Jazz? How are you?"
"I'm good I suppose. I've got a part time job at Starbucks, I'm still in college but I miss you so much Sam. When are you coming home?"
"I don't know Jazz, there's still so much of the world I want to see and so many things I want to do that I just don't know."
Richmond held up three fingers.
"Can I come and see you? I've been saving my wages and I've built up quite a lot of money and I'm sure mum and dad will give me some so that I can come and visit you if I'm short. I won't be any trouble I promise."
I blinked and the tears streamed down my cheeks, it hurt me so much knowing that would never be possible.
"Are you still there Sam?"
"Yeah babe I'm still here,"
"Don't you want to see me?"
"I want to see you more than you know but things are a little difficult." I rubbed my forehead slowly in frustration.
"Difficult how?"
"It doesn't matter."
"Yes it does. What's the problem, is it financial? If it is you only need to ask and mum and dad can help you." She stated flippantly.
"No it's not that."
"So you just don't want me to visit then."
"That's not the case and you know it. Look I don't want to fall out with you Jazz." This conversation wasn't going how I wanted it too because Jazz thought I'd left her and didn't care.
Richmond held up two fingers.
"I haven't got long, I just want to make sure you're okay."
"And if I wasn't you'd come home?" she asked hopeful.
I sniggered, "Nice try!"
Jazz giggled and it was a lovely sound to hear, "Sorry, I don't want to give you a hard time but you broke my heart when you left."
"I know babe and I'll make it up to you one day I promise. How's Steve doing?"
"We had to take him to the vets last week because he hurt his leg but apart from that he's fine."
"Good, I'm pleased he's in your capable hands."
"He is indeed."
"And how's college?" It was important for her to keep her studies up.
"Going well, oh I forget to tell you that I've been accepted into Southampton University."
Richmond held up one finger.
"That's brilliant news babe, I bet you're really excited."
"Oh I am, it was my first choice and Adam is going to Brighton so he isn't too far away."
"I'm pleased for you, it's all working out so well."
"It would be better if you were here."
"I know and I'm going to make a big effort to come back this year I promise." I crossed my fingers, I hated to promise stuff I knew would never happen.
"Pinkie promise?"
"Pinkie promise. Right Jazz I've gotta go, I'll call you in a couple of weeks."
"Okay, just tell me that everything's okay?"
"Everything's fine Jazz, stop worrying. Love you."
"Love you too."
I hung up and handed the phone back to Richmond. The tears were still streaming down my face and I removed a tissue from the box beside me and dabbed my cheeks rather than rubbing it as it would aggravate the bruising.
"Are you close to your sister?"
I glanced in his direction, "I was, we were best friends but that was taken away from me the day that I was taken."
Richmond rolled his eyes as if he'd heard it all before, "You can go back to your room now. Dad won't be home tonight, something about a wild party so he'll see you tomorrow."
"Well that's something to look forward to!" I smiled sarcastically before I stood to walk from the room.
"Careful, that mouth's probably the reason your face looks the way it does." He said coldly.
"No, my mouth is what's going to not let it happen again." I gave him a wink and briskly walked from the room, I didn't want to get into a conversation with him. I wanted to lie on my bed and think about my family, I knew I'd missed them but talking to Jazz only highlighted the fact further.
I pushed the door open to my room and quickly closed it behind me, I was hoping that this could be my space without an intruders. Spyder would probably still want me to see clients but I was hoping we could have the same arrangements and I wouldn't have to bring anyone back to this space. Not that I planned on staying, the assault last night only heightened my hatred for the group and I'd decided that I was going to do everything within my power to bring them down.
Chapter 4
CJ
"So what kind of security do they run?"
"The doors of local pubs and clubs, protection, empty warehouses and properties, allsorts really." I'd brought Jayden along so my family could meet him. I'd vouched for Jayden anyway but they just wanted to put a face to a name before he was involved in any family business.
"Why are they asking you for help?"
"I'm family, and although I don't work for them I put up a lot of money to get the business going so I'm an equal partner, we all own twenty percent."
"So they try and deal with things themselves rather than taking an outsider on?"
"It's the gypsy in us, we like to look after our own."
"So why are you asking me to help out?" Jay asked drawing his brows together confused.
"They needed another person, so I suggested you and because your ex-army and a club member's son, you have a lot going for you."
"You didn't mention how handsome I was?" he asked sniggering.
"Funny! No I didn't mention that to my brothers, they'd think I was gay!"
"Or that I look good in a suit?"
"Are you sure you're not gay? You'll be telling me you like shopping and Eurovision in a minute!"
"Haha!" he said dryly.
We pulled up outside the smart looking office block in a reserved space for 'Jones' Security'. I noticed Jayden look around at the cars and trucks parked outside the building, "They must be doing alright for themselves."
"It's not a bad money maker, it's like anything though you've gotta put in the hours and hard graft in order for it to become successful." I exited the car and walked to the main entrance to be greeted by Shelly. Seeing her was the highlight of my time here and I made a mental note to visit the family more often.
"Hi CJ," Shelly twirled a tendril as she leaned on the counter pushing her ample breasts up higher so they could be seen even move in her low cut top.
"Hello gorgeous, how are things babe." I leaned on the other side of the counter where I got a perfect view.
"All the better for seeing you," I gave her a wink and she giggled uncontrollably.
"When you've stopped flirting with my staff, would you like to come in?" I turned to see Rian with a smug expression on his face.
"Hi mate, how you doing." I strolled over to Rian and gave him a hug. It had been a while since I'd seen my family as I'd been busy training but the fight was nearly upon me and I'd decided I was going to make more time for them. I broke from his hold, "This is Jayden." I stated pointing towards him.
Rian extended his arm, "Nice to meet you Jayden, I've heard a lot about you."
Jayden shook his hand, "All good things I hope?"
Rian pulled a sheepish expression before sniggering, "Of course, that's why we've invited you here. Come on they're all waiting and we've got information about Spyder." Jayden pulled back his shoulders and stood tall, he was obviously dying to find out who this bloke was.
We followed Rian into the offices
and he led us to the room we used for meetings. "Do you want a tea or coffee Jayden?"
"Yeah I'd love a coffee," Jayden said pulling out a chair to take a seat. We'd been sparring this morning so I knew his leg must be aching, I was just surprised how well he coped with it. Rian made Jay a coffee and placed it on the table in front of him before walking toward the door.
"And where's mine?" I asked affronted.
"Fuck off, you know where the stuff's kept." Rian responded as he left the room
"Arsehole," I muttered under my breath as I walked over to the coffee machine to make my own hot drink. I could hear Jay snigger to himself as the rest of the group walked through the door.
"Can I have a coffee babe?" Fallon asked.
"Yeah I wouldn't mind one either." Eli stated as he sat at the table.
"This is fucking great, I'm a visitor and I'm asked to make the drinks." The group chuckled at my expense.
"Stop your bitching, you should be pleased to see us." Finn sat at the table, "And you'll be pleased to know that I've already got a drink." He lifted his mug indicating that he didn't need one.
"Like a hole in the head," I mumbled to another bout of giggles from the group.
Eli pulled out a file and spread information over the table. I placed the hot drinks strategically so they couldn't be spilt and sat next to Jayden. "Is this the man you wanted information on?" he asked Jay showing him a photo of a large, heavily tattooed black man.
He nodded his head, "Yeah, that's the bloke."
"Well my friend this is Levi Taylor, forty-two years old and originally from Hackney. He has a list of crimes to his name as long as your arm for shoplifting, possession, intent to supply, ABH, GBH and driving while under the influence to name but a few. He's been in and out of prison most of his life, likes to mistreat women but he has been a good boy for the past five years."
I let out a low whistle, "That's some record."
"It certainly is. I spoke to a friend of mine who is a copper and he said Levi is a nasty piece of work." Finn rested his chin on his steepled fingers, "So if your girlfriend is somehow involved with him she needs to stay away because he's bad news."
Jayden (Aces MC Series Book 4.5) Page 7
