Page 50 of Jake's Angel

JAKE

Pop abruptly catchesboth women by the elbow and escorts them into the room. Avery reluctantly sits in the chair next to Gabe at the head of the table. She makes eye contact with Sadie, who has been strategically placed at the opposite end of the table next to Hawk. Sadie’s eyes are wide, resembling someone who’s sitting on a thumbtack.

Avery’s eyes become sharp and assessing. Her body tenses as she takes in the impenetrable expressions of the men who sit around the room watching her.

“This is not our usual way of doing church, but I thought it was best we have both of you here together while we dig for the truth.” Gabe’s eyes narrow suspiciously as they bounce between the two women. “Whatever is said here does not leave this room. Do you two ladies understand?” They both answer with resigned acceptance.

“Let’s start with the night you left Baron’s Edge. What made you leave the way you did, in secret? Were you in trouble?” Gabehunches over, his arms resting on his thighs. If he’s trying to look less intimidating, he’s failing miserably.

Avery swallows hard, her eyes pleading with Sadie for help. Sadie gives a slight nod, urging her forward. Avery clears her throat, searching for a plausible explanation. Surprising us all, she asks a question instead.

“What is it you’d like to know, exactly?”

Smart girl. Never give up what isn’t specifically asked.

I glance over and catch the hint of pride and the shadow of a smirk on Sadie’s face. Caleb must share the same thoughts, judging by his look of approval and the subtle hint of a smile he’s now trying to hide.

“For starters, what are you running from?”

“Who says I’m running from anything? Maybe I was just tired of living in a town full of narcissistic assholes.” Avery’s answer elicits snickers and grunts around the room. Her seemingly playful eyes meet Gabe’s accusatory ones, which are now alight with amusement at her choice of words. He drops his head momentarily, shaking off his laughter.

“If that’s the case, then why sneak out?”

Avery squints at him like he’s the dumbest motherfucker she’s ever met.

“Well … when you don’t want people to know you’re leaving somewhere, you don’t let them see you do it. It’s called ‘sneaking out’ for a reason.” I drop my chin to hide my smirk. Gabe, however, has stopped trying to hide his.

“Okay, then. How about I tell you what I think happened?” He leans back, folding his arms over his chest, one hand rubbing his beard as he watches her contemplatively. “I think someone threatened you and you ran. My question is, who threatened you, and why? You think you can help me figure that out?”

She squirms slightly in her seat, her eyes darting around the room impassively as she says nothing.

“Alright, we’ll come back to that in a minute. How about you tell me how you and Sadie came up with this little escape plan of yours? Then maybe you both can explain how Sadie helped you get past the security system?” Avery’s head snaps to where Sadie is seated, her eyes full of trepidation. Sadie’s head lowers as she studies her own fidgeting hands. I’m certain she can feel the weight of everyone’s eyes on her, but Sadie doesn’t buckle. They know we’re onto them, but they’re still not quite ready to admit anything.

Avery waits for Sadie to meet her gaze, but Sadie doesn’t look up. It’s in this moment I realize it’s not just Sadie who is protective and loyal to those she cares about.

“Sadie didn’t come up with the plan. She just happened to find out about my wanting to leave and offered me a ride out of town.”

Well, I’ll be damned.She’s trying to cover for Sadie.

“You expect me to believeyouhacked the security system, cut the power, and escaped with no help from anyone? That’s a pretty big accomplishment for someone who barely pulled a C in her computer class.” There’s a flicker of rage in Avery’s eyes, her chest rising with every defiant breath she takes. She’s preparing to argue with his accusations, but she’s cut off by the sound of Sadie’s angry voice from across the room.

“Is that really all that matters to you people? The fact I outsmarted Hawk’s precious security system?” Sadie’s outburst catches everyone off guard as we all turn our attention to her. “There’s a known mobster threatening Avery’s life, and one of your own guys ends up dead the same night she manages to escape her hell-hole of a home, but all you want to know ishow I broke the fucking codes?” Avery audibly gasps before covering her mouth with her hand as she searches Sadie's face.

She didn’t know.

Sadie realizes her mistake and rushes to Avery’s side. Hawk moves to stop her, but Gabe waves him off, allowing Sadie to reach Avery’s seat. She drops to her knees on the floor in front of her, placing her hands atop Avery’s knees, looking up into her tear-filled eyes.

“I wanted to tell you yesterday. I just didn’t know how. It’s why I didn’t want you to leave last night. The club can help you, Aves. They’ll protect you until we figure out what the hell is really going on.”

Lowering her hand in slow-motion, Avery is visibly taken aback by Sadie’s confession, but there’s more than confusion at play in her expression. She’s petrified. We all watch in silence as Sadie tries to comfort her friend without success.

“Who? W-Why?” Avery’s voice is but a whisper, shaky and full of fear. She turns her questioning eyes to Gabe. “Why is someone after me? What do they want with me?”

Gabe leans forward, attempting to place his hand on her shoulder, but she shrinks back away from his touch. He immediately pulls his hand back, scrutinizing the shadow of alarm crossing her face.

She’s afraid of him.

Images of her bruises flash through my mind, along with an overwhelming urge to hold her.

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