Page 39 of Jake's Angel

There’s a clash of dishes coming from around the corner. It startles us both.

“Take it. My number is in it. When you’re ready, let me know. In the meantime, watch your back.” Another crash is heard causing my attention to turn toward the noise. A second later, I hear the loud locking sound of the latch on the door. The same one I used for my own escape.

I take a moment to catch my breath. Walking back into the bathroom, I wash my face one more time, erasing the evidence of my tears. I fix my ponytail, dab on a little lip gloss and pinch my cheeks to add a little color to my face. One more deep breath, and I head back to the table where Jayde is standing holding what I assume is Mack’s pie in a teal cardboard box.

“Hey. You all good?” Her eyes cloud with concern.

“Yeah, I’m good. I’m not used to eating sugar.” I put my hand to my belly, hoping she’ll get the fake excuse without forcing me to explain the lie any further.

“Oh, gotcha. Are you feeling better? Do I need to take you home?”

“Nah, I’m fine now. We should probably get going. I don’t know what time Sadie is coming back, and the dark-haired hottie on the bike is supposed to be coming back with her.” I lean in and whisper where only she can hear me. “I don’t think I’m supposed to let them see me since the mall.”

“Oh, right. Yeah. She did mention she didn’t want you around the club yet. Okay. Well, let’s go then.” I follow her out to her car, tamping down the need to throw up and try enjoying the summer wind on my face as she breaks the speed limit, tearing off down the road.

CHAPTER TWELVE

AVERY

Jayde droppedme off about an hour ago. It’s late and I still don’t know if Sadie is coming home or not.

I spent the entire day running errands with Jayde, pretending to be excited for Sadie’s party and listening to Jayde prattle on about her family, the work she does for the MC and their businesses, and her classes. She loves math and accounting, which I never would’ve known by looking at her. The way she dresses and her car would be enough to convince people she’s into fashion and money. I would never have thought she graduated from high school a year early and was a closet nerd.

Way to be judgmental, Aves.

As soon as Jayde’s car left the driveway, I was sprinting down the hall to my room, grabbing a duffle bag from the floor of the closet, frantically pulling out all my new clothes and packing what I can. I can’t take everything, but I’ll need enough for at least a week or so. I can always find a laundromat to wash them.

My bag is stuffed with all the clothes and shoes that will fit. I grab my backpack and add it to the pile on the bed.

Running into the bathroom, I grab shampoo, conditioner, my toothbrush, toothpaste, a hairbrush, and deodorant. I shove them all into my backpack, along with a few extra pairs of panties and bras. If Ican’tfind a laundromat, at least I’ll have enough clean panties to last a few days. I might have to sleep on the streets for a while, but that doesn’t mean I have to lose all my dignity.

I’m spinning around double checking the room to make sure I’m not forgetting anything when the phone in my pocket vibrates. I pull it out, thinking it’s Sadie letting me know she’s close, only to find it’s not the phone she gave me that’s vibrating. It’shis.The man from Magpie’s. The one who said he could tell me about my mother’s death.

T: Don’t leave. You’re safer here with them than you are on your own.

Me: Safer with who?

T: The Kings

Me: I don’t know them

T: They take care of their own

Me: I’m not one of theirs

T: You are and you need to stay

What the hell does that even mean?

T: Trust me

Said the wolf to Little Red.

Me: I don’t know you

T: Stay

I’m about to send another text telling him he can fuck right off when Sadie’s excited voice echoes through the house.

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