Page 11 of Jake's Angel

“Not yet, but pretty fucking close.” I smile back.

“How is it still charged?”

I shrug. “She probably left it plugged into the consol. The guys have driven it a few times to and from the shop. Who knows?” I kiss her one last time. “I’m going to go find her and take her to get her car. Then I’ll go to church and find out what the hell is going on there. It’s probably nothing serious.” She squeezes my hand and lets go. “Love you Ma.”

She nods, says she loves me too, and I’m out the door.

I shoot off a text to Hawk, letting him know Sadie is driving Jinx’s truck. His reply comes quickly.

Dipshit: She’s at Magpie’s. Just pulled in.

Me: five minutes out.

CHAPTER FOUR

JAKE

I pullinto Magpie’s lot, surprised to find Ethan and Hawk standing beside their bikes, talking. I pull into the spot beside them, cut the motor, and dismount.

“Mornin′,” I greet both with a chin lift. They return the gesture. “What are you doing here?” I ask Ethan. “I figured you’d be sleeping the next couple of days to recoup.”

“I’d love nothing more, but my woman woke up and decided she needed Magpie’s for breakfast. She was dressed and out the door, I didn’t have time to protest.” He chuckles. “I took Lilah over to Violet’s to watch Carter, then decided I’d meet Skyler for breakfast.”

“You mean you couldn’t stand being away from her and decided to drag your ass over here to get her,” Hawk smirks. Ethan flips him off.

“Come on,” I motion for the door. “Let’s go get food and answers.”

Walking into the restaurant, we’re greeted by Patsy.

“Well, what are you three troublemakers up to this morning?” She’s wearing her teal button-up top and a pair of jeans that hug her hips, with her black hair half up in a teal bandanna. For being a woman in her late sixties, she doesn’t look it.

Hawk embraces her, kissing her cheek. “Now, you know we aren’t making trouble, Patsy. We’re here for the delicious food and great service.” He winks. She slaps his chest.

“The hell you are Nathaniel Hawk. You three are up to no good. The way Skyler slouched in her chair beside Sadie Jay and her little friend tells me so.” At the mention of a friend, both Hawk and I spin to see who she’s got with her. Ethan is looking for his wife, who seems to be hiding herself.

“Who’s that with Sadie?” I ask no one in particular.

I get a glimpse of a long blonde ponytail and the top of a black hoodie. Too petite to be a guy.

“That look right there.” Patsy goes on to say, “I’d say you’re fixing to do a bit of pot stirring, and I don’t mean in the kitchen.” She looks at us over the top of her glasses. Hawk barks out a laugh.

I chuckle too, because she’s not wrong. Ethan is already on the move, headed for Skyler.

Hawk drops another kiss on Patsy’s cheek and asks for coffee. At the table, Sadie and Skyler are whispering conspiratorially. Their friend, a cute little blonde, sits tearing into a waffle and strawberries like she hasn’t eaten in a week. She's not looking at us. She's completely engrossed with her food. Completely oblivious, she pays no attention to the three large bikers approaching her table.

Hawk’s not good at being ignored. He smirks at the newcomer’s lack of attention and makes himself comfortable, squeezing into the booth next to her. The little blonde takes notice, looking a little unsure of things now.

She slides herself toward the window, creating more space between them, still not saying anything as she watches us from the corner of her eye.

“Hey, baby.” Ethan takes his place standing behind Skyler. He greets his wife, tilting her head back to kiss her on the mouth. “You taste like syrup.”

Skyler smiles wide, “It was so good.” He smiles back at her.

“I’m glad you could get some food in you finally.”

The blonde watches them intently. Her eyes bouncing back and forth, taking in Ethan’s appearance, then Skyler’s. What she’s trying to make out, I don’t know. But I don’t like the judgmental look she’s giving my brother.

Grabbing a chair, I spin it backward, straddling it at the end of the table. Sadie and Skyler look guilty as hell, but their new friend seems oblivious to their conspiracy. She’s lost in her own thoughts.

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