Page 44 of Jake's Angel

“I’m not here to take you back. Quite the opposite. You’re welcomed to stay here in Oak Ridge for as long as you like. In fact, we’d prefer it if you do. But first, you need to go meet with our Pres. Answer a few questions.”

She looks to Sadie for reassurance. When all she gets is a one shoulder shrug of indifference, she sizes each of us up, weighing her risks. The men all stand prepared to stop her should she try to run again. Each one’s face is emotionless, giving nothing away. She doesn’t know us and, for some reason, she’s decided she can’t trust Pop. But it’s obvious Avery knows the only choice is to come with us.

Her eyes ping-pong back and forth between all the brothers until her eyes finally lock on mine.

Something she sees causes her to stop. I stand with my legs wide, arms crossed over my chest, but she’s not intimidated by me. She’s studying me just as intently as I have been her. Those emerald eyes are beseeching mine. When I finally give a slight tip of my chin, I catch her shoulders relax, but only slightly.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake, people.” Sadie says, sounding exasperated. Grabbing Avery by the arm, she explains. “Avery, this is my crazy ass family, better known around here as the Kings of Fury MC. These two assholes you already know.” She flips her hand between me and Pop. “Blake and Austin, the two outside have been taking turns playing ‘chase my tail’ for the last couple of days.” A loud grunt comes from Hawk at her choice of words.

“The two man-beasts over there are of our Enforcers, Declan and the other is my cousin, and he’s the club’s VP, Jameson. They look like they eat small humans, but they won’t hurt you—isn’t that right, Dec?” She smiles at him, wrinkling her nose. Dec gives a slight shoulder lift and a tip of his head, alluding that things could go either way. Sadie sniggers at him. Jameson stands stoic.

Spinning around, Sadie opens her arms wide as she introduces her favorite King in the room. “That handsome, older looking fellow with the gray hair and beard holding my kitchen counter up is Caleb, better known around these parts as Captain, or to us lucky few—as Papa.”

“That’s right, Shortcake.” He nods, giving her a wink. “Nice to meet you, sweetheart.”

He clears his throat as he greets Avery, and something about the way his face softens leaves me curious. Caleb’s always had a soft spot for the girls, but there’s something different about the way he looks at her.

“Aves, not one of these men will hurt you. They’re here to help. I brought you here for that reason. It’s also why Iletthem in this morning.” Sadie emphasizes her words, goading Hawk. “You asked me to help, and I promised to protect you. Well, the Kings are the best weapon of protection I have to offer, even if they are a bunch of overgrown, imbecilic assholes.” She glances over her shoulder at the room. Sadie’s pushing her luck, and she fucking knows it. Hawk’s eyes challenge her to say something else.

Hawk is still burning a hole in the side of Sadie’s head as we prepare to load up and leave. He’s fighting with himself to follow Gabe’s orders to not start shit with Sadie. It’s burning him from the inside not to go toe-to-toe with her. Watching how he’s flexing his hands over and over makes me think he’s imagining spanking her ass thoroughly for the stunt she’s pulled. I can’t say I’m doing any better. Avery, being here has my every nerve on edge.

We don’t know what kind of trouble she’s in, but she’s brought it straight to our doorstep, and now that we’re sure Sadie is her accomplice, there’s no way we can’t get involved. What’s worse is Sadie did this shit on purpose. She counted on the King’s protection. I don’t know if I should be proud or pissed at her.

Probably both.

But Avery has secrets. Lots of them, it seems, and I find I want to know them all. I’ve never felt a pull like this with anyone before, but there’s something about her that has my insides all fucked-up. Ineedto protect her. Not just because she’s linked to Sadie, but because it’sher. I can’t explain it, but I am fighting hard against it.

I don’t do commitments, and from the looks of things, she wouldn’t either. She’s ready to run at the first sign of trouble.

I sure as shit don’t do innocent good-girls like her. They always want more than I’m willing to offer. And I know she’s inexperienced—it was evident in the kiss we shared. She was hesitant, nervous.

But then she opened to you.

No! Don’t.

I see how guarded she is, the small cracks in her armor she’s trying desperately to hide. Getting mixed up with her would be a horrible idea. I might not be a good guy, but I won’t be the type of asshole who takes advantage of a woman when she’s clearly trying to come back from something.

I can’t stand here staring for another second. I need some air and a few minutes to think.

“Are we good here?” I ask. Pop nods, releasing me from my duties, allowing me to head back to the clubhouse. I move to pass Avery on my way to the door. I stop cold when her delicate hand grabs my forearm.

“Am I really safe, Jake?” She whispers. I give a curt nod. “Will you be there? At the clubhouse?” Again, I dip my head in answer. She releases my arm, and I bolt for the door with Declan close behind me.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

AVERY

It tookabout an hour for the men to grab whatever they were trying to get from Sadie’s computer and pack us both into the truck. Mack grabbed both of my bags and had one of the prospects pack up everything I had in the closet as well.

A large black wrought-iron fence comes into view through the tree line, with two tall men standing near the opening. The younger-looking one has short blond hair and blue eyes. He’s wearing a leather vest like the two who were guarding Sadie’s house. It has two patches on the front. One says ‘Prospect’ on one side and Mason on the other. He’s not huge like the other two, but he looks like he could’ve played football somewhere before.

Good God! How many of them are there?

The other one, a dark-haired behemoth with day-old stubble on his chin and dark brown eyes, looks a lot scarier. He’s handsome, but the scowl he’s wearing makes me think he’s not one to be played with. Sadie said his name was Declan. He left with Jake shortly before us.

Mack rolls down the window of the truck and shakes hands with the behemoth. The patches on his cut have his name on one side and ‘Enforcer’ on the other.

What the hell does Enforcer mean? What does he enforce?His will upon unsuspecting strangers?

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