Jayden (Aces MC Series Book 4.5)

by Aimee-Louise Foster

  "I could ask you the very same question."

  Sam

  I sat in a taxi on the way back to Spyder's house feeling a little anxious, I'd received a cryptic message from him earlier asking me to get a taxi home as he had a surprise for me. This wasn't uncommon, he'd sometimes asked Jackal or Pyet to give me a ride home or even call a taxi but it was the tone of his message that I didn't like.

  He couldn't have known about me going around Jay's parents this afternoon. I'd been carful getting into the taxi and I 'd made the driver drop me off in a secluded area and walked the final part of the journey to make sure I wasn't followed. No, this seemed more serious and I didn't like the uneasy feeling I had inside.

  On arrival at the house, I paid the taxi driver the fare and exited the vehicle noticing that only Spyder's car was outside meaning he was alone. I took a deep breath and slowly walked across the gravel until I was at the front door and used my keys to enter.

  The house was surprisingly quiet, usually there was music blaring or the TV was on but as I listened I couldn't hear a sound.

  "Is anyone home?" I shouted hearing my voice echo around the large stairwell.

  "Up here in your room." Spyder shouted from upstairs.

  My heart raced, why was he in my room? The nights he had demanded sex with me, we had always gone to his room. I preferred this as my room became a sanctuary, a place where I could go, lock the door and not contemplate what kind of life I had.

  I slowly walked up the stairs holding onto the banisters for support as I glanced around my surroundings taking everything in, I didn't want to be caught unaware should someone be lying in wait.

  I pushed my bedroom door open slowly and notice Spyder sitting at my desk, his mood was unreadable but he didn't move to look at me although he would've known I had entered the room. He was starring at the bed, I followed his eye line and let out a squeak before covering my mouth with my hand. I shook uncontrollably and the tears streamed down my cheeks, I gasped for air but I couldn't take it in quick enough as her lifeless eyes looked up at me.

  "See, I'm a little confused Sam because you told me that she was doing well. If I remember rightly you said that she had the usual nerves but she was doing okay and just needed time." I didn't move, I stood still scared as to what he may do.

  "Now, I sent her out this evening to see a very important customer and ten minutes later I get an irate Mr Bates on the phone explaining that the girl I sent had locked herself in the bathroom and was crying because she didn't want to perform a sex act on him. When I arrived he'd smashed down the door and was in the middle of punishing Leanne with his fists for wasting his time. Now can you understand why I was a little confused and possibly annoyed with the situation?" I nodded my head still scared to move or talk.

  Spyder stood and circled me slowly like a shark in deep water swimming around his prey. "I brought her back here and you'll never guess what she told me?" I kept my head down looking at the floor as he stopped in front of me. "What's the matter Sam, you're not usually this quiet? Do you feel guilty about something?" Spyder continued to make me feel uncomfortable with his questioning, "Before she erm died, Leanne said that you were planning to escape and take all of the girls with you." He started to pace again and walk around me, I could feel his eyes bore into my skin and an uneasy tension filled the room. "I'm assuming your lack of response means this is true?"

  What was the point in arguing, looking at Leanne's lifeless body he'd obviously tortured it from her. "I'm waiting for an answer Sam."

  I stood here listening to him using his intimidating tactics on me, in wonder at what I had become. Why was I putting up with this shit, he was obviously going to hurt me in some way, so why didn't I just pull him up on his shit and get it over and done with? I pulled my shoulders back and lifted my head to watch him as he passed me. He'd just murdered a perfectly innocent somewhat angelic young girl, with no regards to her or her family. Something had now changed inside me as I could feel myself become bolder and I went from scared little girl to portraying a don't give a shit attitude. I pushed past him and stomped over to Leanne, picking her up to cradle her. She was cold, this obviously happened a while ago and he was just waiting for me to come home to this. I don't know what he was expecting from me but there was no way that I was going to let him get away with this. If Jay couldn't sort out the problem tomorrow, and I was still alive, I was going to the police with the information I had, I couldn't possibly let another life be ruined by this man's hands.

  "Don't pretend you care now you heartless bitch." I looked up at him confused as I stroked the side of Leanne's head. "If you cared you would've trained her correctly to service every man that walked through her door but you were thinking about your own vendetta against me and my men and that caused her, to lose her life. That's down to you and therefore on your conscience."

  He was outrageous, the words he spewed were vile as he tried to get a reaction at every opportunity. "Where's your phone?" he asked with his palm held out in my direction.

  I'd only just earned the privilege of having a phone and in less than a week it had been taken away, I just wondered what other punishments he had up his sleeve. I pointed to my handbag and he ripped it open pouring the contents onto the floor before bending down to retrieve my phone and place it into his back pocket.

  The piece of paper that Jayden had given me, fluttered to the floor and my eyes widened with fear. Spyder followed my eye line as a sly smile crossed his face, he bent down and picked up the note and read it before folding the paper and placing it into his pocket. It wasn't signed but it wouldn't be too difficult to work out who it was from.

  Spyder surged forward, grabbing my cheeks forcefully, holding my head still so he could glare into my eyes, "Don't think for one minute that you've gotten away with this. I haven't finished with you but I'm just trying to work out the best possible punishment. You may see your sister a lot sooner than expected." He let go and my cheeks stung where he'd held my face so tightly. His evil smirk sent shivers down my spine but I tried not to let on that I was scared, he turned and stomped from the room, slamming the door loudly behind him. I heard several locks as he secured the door making sure I couldn't leave.

  I forced back the tears as I got comfortable on the bed and lay beside Leanne. Deep down I knew it wasn't my fault but his words stung and I couldn't shake the uncomfortable feeling of how she would've felt. She'd trusted me to save her and I was going to I just needed some more time. Why didn't I listen to Jay and just leave, we could've possibly gone to the police and they could've sorted this out. He was right, this would be on my conscience for the rest of my life.

  I had also just lost all routes of communicating with Jay, I desperately needed to talk to him and let him know of the situation but Spyder was now aware of where Jay's family lived and I may have just blown the whole operation to set us all free. I snuggled beside Leanne and rubbed her face gently, "I'll get him for this Leanne, I promise I'll get him for this."

  The bedroom door hitting the wall with force woke me from a deep sleep and I tried to focus as the light streamed through the doorway.

  "Get your fucking arse up now!" I was trying desperately to focus on my surroundings as Richmond grabbed my arm and dragged me from the bed. "Dad said you were a good little shag and I want to see if that's true before he ships you out."

  The panic quickly rose through my body and I dropped to my knees knowing that he'd struggle to move me. I bought myself some time and evaluated the situation but I couldn't see a way out, he was going to fucking rape me and there was nothing that I could do apart from fight with everything I had. Somewhere I found the rage from deep within and grinded my teeth together before I screamed with every last breath I had in my lungs, this took him by surprise and he stepped back confused. He wearily stepped closer bending down to grab me but I clawed at his face taking a chunk out of his skin.

  "Fuckkkkkk!" he screamed holding his face in agony. While he was preoccupied, I got t
o my feet and took off down the hallway towards the stairs. My heart rate increased but I saw some hope as the front door came into site. I flew down the stairs and heard him making ground on me as he'd regained his composure, I only hoped he didn't have his gun. Something smashed beside me on the floor and I jumped over the carnage as it slid across the smooth surface. I ran faster but this time I was hit in the back with something hard and was knocked to the floor. I skidded on my front over to the far corner further away from the door and quickly scrambled to my feet but Richmond was on me.

  Crack! He punched me in the face but I didn't go down, I knew if I went down I wasn't getting back up and this wasn't ending on his terms. I glanced around trying to see a way out or a possible weapon I could use but there wasn't anything. Richmond surged towards me and the force of his body on mine knocked us both to the floor, he quickly positioned himself on top of me as I flapped around trying to get free. He desperately tried to grab my arms as I clawed against his body trying to inflict as much pain as possible and that's when I noticed his gun tucked into the waistband of his jeans. Without hesitation I grabbed it, the look of horror on his face as I positioned the gun in front of him with my finger on the trigger was priceless. I squeezed the trigger but it didn't move, I desperately tried it again but the weapon was knocked from my hand and skidded out of my reach.

  Crack! Another fist landed on my cheek and I instantly felt the swelling, "You fucking bitch you tried to shoot me." I laughed at his comment, my life hung in the balance and I laughed at my attacker because of his fucking stupid words. "Your one fucked up bitch! What you fucking laughing at?" continued to laugh taunting him but I couldn't help it. This was such a surreal moment and no one knows how they're going to act when their life is in the balance but I was really passed caring, I didn't have any fight left I couldn't see out of one of my eyes and I had no means of escape. I didn't answer him but he shook his head, "Stupid bitch anyway, I always put the safety on."

  Richmond's phone rang and I could see the anguish of what he should do. He sighed and reached into his pocket pulling out his mobile and in doing so took his attention from me.

  "What's up dad?" he glanced at me with a worrying look. "Yeah I've got her here." He covered his other ear and really listened down the phone. "Dad you're breaking up...What, you're at army boys house?"

  I could hear the conversation taking place and by what I could make out Spyder was at Jayden's parents house, he must've used the information he found on the note.

  "Dad I can't hear you." Richmond stood freeing me, I let him pace the room trying to get a signal before I scrambled over to the gun that lay on the floor.

  I stood, and this time I released the safety before pointing the gun at Richmond. My hand shook as I aimed, he was oblivious to my intentions as he still tried to make out what his dad was saying.

  "I can't fucking hear you dad, what's going on?" he looked at the screen sighing as he returned it to his pocket before glancing in my direction. He smiled, "We're not trying this again are we?" He surged forward and I pulled the trigger.

  The shot was deafening, it echoed in the large foyer and I looked through the wisp of smoke that came out the end of the gun to see Richmond looking at the gaping hole in his chest. The blood quickly soaked into his light blue cotton shirt and he moved his hands to cover the hole. Richmond briefly looked down at his chest before collapsing in a heap, I heard a faint gargling sound but I knew he'd soon be dead. I wasn't happy that I'd taken a life but I was pleased that I'd hurt Spyder by taking something away from him that was so precious. I backed up slowly until my back touched the cold wall and slid down until I was sitting on the floor. I was exhausted, I didn't even have the energy to try to leave or find a telephone to call the police, my head was spinning and I had the desire to close my eyes.

  Bang! I sat up startled by the noise. Bang! There it was again, I shakily stood and swirled around and pointed the gun at the front door where the noise had come from.

  Bang! Bang! Someone was desperately trying to get in and the doorframe shook from the force of being kicked.

  Bang! Bang! The door swung open and in the commotion I couldn't count how many people there were, I just knew there were too many for the amount of bullets I had left.

  I held the gun out and pointed erratically as the group of men made their way into the foyer but they stopped when they saw me. I had to turn my head at an angle so I could see them as one of my eyes was closing from the swelling.

  "Don't move any further or I'll shoot." I moved the gun along the line of people and held it on one individual as he stepped forward.

  "Sam it's Jayden, you need to lower the gun babe." I heard his caring voice but I couldn't see him properly. I still pointed it but my arm was getting heavy and it shook uncontrollably. "Come on Sam, give it here babe let me have it." Jayden moved towards me and took the gun from my hand putting the safety on before he handed it to another member of the group. He enveloped me in his arms and the flood gates opened as I wailed into his chest. I sobbed and he held me close rubbing the back of my head as he tried to sooth me. This is where I wanted to be, in Jayden's arms where it was safe.

  "She's done a good job on him." I heard one of the men say as they looked at Richmond lying on the floor.

  I ignored their comments and sniggers, I was tired and I was hurting, what I wouldn't give for a soak in the bath and a long uninterrupted night's sleep.

  Panic struck me, "Why are you here? You said tomorrow, is Jazz safe?"

  "Shhh, calm down babe you've got nothing to worry about."

  "What do you mean nothing to worry about? How can it all be okay?"

  I moved my head to look at him and another man stepped closer to join our conversation, "Sam, I'm CJ I've been helping Jayden out with tracking this group." I nodded my head, Jay had mentioned CJ before and I knew they got on well. "The group weren't as big as we initially thought. Basically it is just a three man operation, Spyder, Jackal and Pyet."

  I looked at them both confused, "But they said they had men tracking Jazz and would kill her if I tried to leave." I broke free from Jayden's embrace and held my head as it was throbbing.

  "They never had her under surveillance, Jackal confessed and told us everything." CJ said quietly.

  I felt sick and incredibly stupid, I'd lived the last two years of my life in fear that if I stepped out of line or ran away that harm would come to my sister. I shook my head disappointed with myself, that I'd been taken for a fool.

  Jayden sighed, "Don't beat yourself up Sam, we can all say what if but that won't help you move on with your life, I'm proof of that."

  "What the fuck has gone on here?" I heard the booming voice of a man as he entered the house followed by another man wearing the same leather jacket.

  "Duke I can explain everything." The man with the ponytail said as he stepped forward.

  "Good because I'm waiting Justice."

  "No let me or Jayden explain, it's nothing to do with Whip, Justice or Hound they're just family looking out for Jay."

  "I don't care too much for family sentiments to be honest, I just want to know what's gone on." I watched as the group stood around uncomfortably under his scrutiny, "Well, either of you start talking." He glared at Jayden and CJ.

  Jay let out a deep sigh, "This is my girlfriend Sam." Jay wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me in close. "She experienced some difficulties with a group of blokes, and we've dealt with them this evening."

  "And is this one of them?" he nodded towards Richmond on the floor.

  "That's all my own doing they're not responsible for him." I wanted to let him know so CJ and Jay didn't get told off for killing someone although I'm sure they wouldn't be too bothered.

  "That's fine sweetheart, you've done a good job. Was he responsible for your face?" The smaller of the two men asked.

  I nodded, "He was going to rape me, I had to do whatever it took to stop him."

  "And I agree, you don't need to justify yo
ur actions." Duke stated before placing his hands on his hips and letting out a loud sigh. "Can you understand why I've got the hump guys?" he asked the group.

  I was a little confused as to who he was in the first place but he seemed to be in charge, that's probably why he had the hump because he wasn't consulted.

  "If you don't mind me asking, how did you find out?" CJ asked boldly.

  "The jungle drums of the clubs are in full use this evening. Woods told me and considering this all kicked off at a family party around Hound's house, I'd say a little sparrow has been whispering." The group sniggered regarding a private joke apart from the old man who looked more confused than me.

  "Okay quieten down, have you decided what you want to do Sam?" Duke asked walking over to Jayden and myself.

  I looked at Jay before returning my attention to Duke, "What do you mean?"

  "Well we have one dead body. If you don't mind your story being publicised by the press and going to court then I'll call the police now and they can sort everything out, but if you want to put everything behind you and go home then I'm happy for my guys to take care of him." He gestured to Richmond sprawled on the floor.

  I hadn't thought about it to be honest. I didn't want everything dragged through the mud but I needed justice for Leanne.

  "They killed Leanne," I whispered quietly to Jayden and I felt his hand tighten around my waist.

  "I don't want to rush your decision but you need to decide soon as the police will question why they weren't called sooner."

  I nodded my head understanding what he was saying but I'd already made my decision, "I'm going to inform the police."

  "Okay boys you heard the lady, I want you all out. Diesel and I will stay and explain the three pussies outside in the van." Duke winked at me before he turned to usher the rest of the group out of the house.

  "Are you sure about this Sam?" Jay asked softly.

  I nodded my head, "I've never been so sure of anything in my life."