Page 57 of Jake's Angel

“Not yet, you haven’t, but I have faith that will change. In fact, I’d put money on it.” Caleb jests. “I want you two boys to keep watch over our girls. Jake here has agreed to be Avery’s very own personal escort. I want you to keep track of everything Sadie does that’s not seen on the surface. You know what I’m talking about. If they’re making any kind of plans, Sadie will be the ringleader, and she’ll do everything she can to cover theirtracks. I’m counting on you to be smarter than she is and stay on top of her.”

A wide grin forms on Hawk’s face, but before he can say whatever dirty remark he’s thinking, Caleb plants a fist to his chest. “Don’t even fucking say it,” he growls.

“Got it, Cap.” Hawk winces.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

AVERY

I stormout of the room, grappling for breath on my way to the bathroom. I hear Jake calling me, but I can’t stop. Running through the bathroom doorway, launching myself into the stall, I lock the door. The contents of my stomach have been knocking at the back of my throat and finally make their appearance. My head is throbbing, my face wet from crying, and my mouth feels and tastes disgusting.

Sitting on the floor, leaning my head against the back of the door, I take a moment to catch my breath.

“Are you okay, Aves?” Sadie’s small voice breaks through the silence in the bathroom. I’ve never heard her sound so subdued. She’s always full of fire and sass.

“Are you?”

“No.” Her head taps against the door on the other side as her fingers reach under the door and find mine. “I’m so sorry, Avery. I swear to you, I didn’t know about any of this. I never would’ve brought you here if …” Her voice quiets even more, but I hear her sniffle and know she’s just as upset as I am. Releasing her hand,I stand to my feet and open the door. There I find her looking up at me with tear-stained cheeks and mascara smeared under her eyes. Reaching my hand out, I help lift her to her feet, wrapping my arms tightly around her.

“I believe you.”

Sadie pulls back slightly, searching my eyes. “You do?” I nod, giving her a small smirk to reassure her that I mean what I say. “How can you look at me and not hate me for everything that’s gone down in there? For what my father …” Her eyes drop to the floor. She swallows hard, trying to get the words past her lips.

I have to tell her.

Lifting her chin, bringing us eye to eye, I whisper, “Because he came to me yesterday at Magpie’s and told me he knows what happened to my mother. I believe there’s more to the story than they even know. He wants to help me find the truth.” Sadie’s eyes widen. Covering her mouth before she gets even the slightest sound out, I warn her. “There are men outside this door and if you don’t keep your shit together, I have no doubt they’ll bust their way in here.” The shock hasn’t left her face, but she heeds my warning and remains quiet.

“Hear me out before you fuck this up for both of us.” I feel her smirk against my hand. Releasing my grip, I pace the bathroom floor, trying to focus my thoughts. Pulling the phone he gave me out of my back pocket, I shoot off a text letting him know I want to meet, but I need a couple of days to work a few things out. Showing Sadie the screen so she understands what I’m about to do, she doesn’t look pleased with my decision.

“What if he’s trying to trap you?” She whispers. “What if he’s here to finish the job? To take you out like he did your mom?” She’s panicking. I can hear it in her voice.

“Sadie.” I say her name, trying to get her attention. To stop the spiral before it starts.

“He’s a traitor to the club. He was there the night Maggie died. I’ve heard the story. The guys said he was partnered with the people who ran her off the road. He didn’t order the hit, but he was responsible for how it went down.” Her eyes dart to the ceiling. She’s fighting to keep the tears back. “When he found out both of you had died, he left town. His job was done and so was any life he had left here.”

Including her.

My heart breaks for the little girl she once was.

Sadie’s shoulders rise and fall with each deep breath she takes. “He left my mom. She went crazy. Not the figurative kind of crazy, but thesmother your infant child with a pillow until she’s deadkind of crazy.”

Holy shit.

My stomach wrenches in knots, threatening to launch another assault on the toilet behind me.

“Avery, if he knows you’re here, it’s possible Cusenza knows too. My dad has a history of getting caught up with scary ass people. He’s been known to make deals, no matter the cost to himself or others, so long as it will keep him breathing.”

“I get it, Sadie. I do, but he wouldn’t warn me if he was helping them. I must know the truth. You heard all the bullshit that went down in there.” I throw my arm out toward the door. “Those men have been lying to me for sixteen years. Now I’m expected to, what, just take them at their word and accept it as gospel? I can’t do that!” My voice raises, but I catch myself as she’s now shushing me before it draws any unwanted attention from the men waiting for us outside.

“Who’s to say he’s not trying to deceive you into going to him so he can kidnap you himself?” Her anger is palpable. Her words pinched as she fights to keep her own voice down and her temper under control.

“He came to warn me about Cusenza’s men.”

“What?” Now it’s her voice that’s raised and me doing the shushing. “Why the fuck didn’t you tell me? What the hell, Avery?” She’s pacing the floor, waving her hands, grumbling to herself. “I’ve been worried sick over how to tell you about Cusenza, and you already fucking knew?” She lets out a long, exasperated groan.

“I didn’t tell you, because I didn’t know who he was. After I saw the picture at your house by the computer, I figured it out and was afraid you’d lose your shit. Much like you’re doing right now.” I gesture to all of her from head to toe to prove my point. “Then when I tried to leave so I didn’t drag anyone, namelyyou, into all my shit, you distracted me with a group of sexy men on a reality tv show and a half gallon of Rocky Road!” I whisper-shout from my corner of the bathroom. She smiles at my accusations but doesn’t deny them.

“You’ve got to admit that Misha guy was hot as hell.” We both chuckle at the memory of our drool fest that took place on her couch. We were both enamored with their beauty as we watched several shirtless men all vying for the same woman as they paraded themselves around a mansion, hoping to gain her undying love. Trash TV at its finest.

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