Page 35 of Jake's Angel

Eighteen years old. Blonde hair, dark green eyes.Avery.

Anger and frustration claw at my chest, fueled by the knowledge someone could be hunting her right now, and with Sadie getting herself caught up in the middle of it all. Someone hurt my Angel. The marks on her arm. The pained look that crossed her face when I asked about them. The way she winced at my touch. And the fire she spat when I asked about it.

Is she protecting him? Whoever he is.

Could it have been her grandfather?

It would make sense to keep her mouth shut if she thought I was going to send the club after him.

Unless she already killed the fucker responsible and didn’t want anyone to know.

Too many scenarios. I need fucking answers.

Her words are on continuous replay in my mind, keeping my protective instincts on high alert. Now more than ever I need to know who put their hands on her.

Was it Chuck?

Her Grandfather?

Some other fucker?

Pop?

My eyes snap to his. Pop looks at me questioningly, giving a slight chin dip. Pop would never hurt a woman. Iknowhe wouldn’t. He’s far too protective and borders on psychotic when it comes to the women around here. I can’t imagine him being any different to the granddaughter of the man he’s been protecting all these years.

I need to talk to Angel. I need to know what happened. How she got to Oakridge. What kind of trouble she’s in.

“I know where she is.” I blurt to the room. Everyone’s attention zones in on me. Gabe’s eyes narrow. Caleb’s eyes meet mine as he leans up on his knee, listening intently.

“How? Where?”Pop snaps. “Out with it, Jake!”

“I don’t know where she’s staying. Last I saw her, she and Jayde were at the grocery store last night. I didn’t know who she was at the time …” I shake the photo in my hand. “But it’s her. I’m certain of it.” Hawk snatches the photo from my hand, taking a long look at it himself.

“Fuck. Me. You’re right,” Hawk says, leaning over Pop’s shoulder to look at the picture. “It’s the spunky little spitfire we had breakfast with.”

He takes it and tosses the photo to Ethan, who also confirms it’s her.

“Hold the fuck up,” Gabe growls. “How long has she been here?”

“I don’t know. A couple of days maybe. We only saw her yesterday.” I answer honestly.

“She’s feisty. I like her.” Hawk adds. It’s my turn to growl.

“Are they at Sadie’s house now?” Gabe raises a brow at Hawk, who starts typing rapidly.

“Can you even get into her security system? I mean, it’s one of your programs, right?” Ethan teases from across the table. Hawk flips him the bird.

“Um …” I start, but I don’t know if I should finish. Pop nods, nudging me to continue. “There is something else you all should know.” Everyone waits quietly while I gather my thoughts. I hope I’m wrong, but there’s a real possibility I’m not. “The girl. She’s got some interesting bruises on her arm in the shape of someone’s fingerprints. When I confronted her about them, she said she got them while trying to get away from some guy. Apparently, he didn’t want to let her go,” I explain, arching my brow, knowing Pop will understand what I’m thinking.

“You talked to her?”

“Yeah, at the store for a second.” I don’t mention the kiss we shared. I’m not looking to get my ass beat. “You’re thinking the guy who hurt her may have been Chuck,” Caleb says what I’m thinking. “You think she could’ve shot him?”

“I honestly don’t know.” I shrug. Rolling my neck from side-to-side, trying to relieve some of the tension gathered there. “If they have a history, if he’s hurt her before, then maybe when he grabbed her this time as she’s trying to get away …” I don’t finish my thought, not sure I believe she would kill a man. Pop grumbles something under his breath.

“We need to get to Sadie’s house and find out what the hell is going on,” Jameson snaps.

“Don’t bother. Sadie’s not home. She left for Baron’s Edge before the sun was all the way up,” Pop announces.

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