Page 69 of Jake's Angel

“How do you propose we do that, Mama?” Caleb asks, amused.

“Give her some space to sort out everything she’s heard. Include her in planning Sadie’s party. Let her see for herself what this club,this family, is all about. Give her a chance to feel the love Maggie felt. Show her she belongs.”

I listen as the conversation goes on about expectations for the party, concerns about how Avery will handle it, and with how the club girls will behave.

“You could tell the whores they’re not invited since it’s a family party.” Mom suggests.

“Sadie’s eighteen. That makes it an adult party.” Hawk notes. “You want Avery to experience the club, then the girls are a part of the brother’s way of life. She’ll need to get used to being around them.”

Gabe’s scrubbing his beard, apparently unsure of how he wants to handle the situation. We never exclude the club whores from parties, not even for family. They earn their keep by keeping the clubhouse clean, stocked with food and necessities, and serve our guests in exchange for a place to stay and the protection of the club. The only exception is when hosting a family function where children may be in attendance, the ladies must wear respectable clothes and can’t do anything of a sexual nature in the public’s view. They’ve got to take it behind closed doors until after ten p.m. when the children leave.

“Pres, if you’re worried about the club whores and the party getting too out of hand for Avery, you shouldn’t. Liz and the girls have explained everything she needs to know.” I’m sure Hawk meant to reassure the Pres with his comment, but it only servesto deepen Gabe’s scowl. Caleb smirks from behind Liz, who is not hiding her shit-eating grin in the slightest.

Gabe shoots off a group text to inform everyone to make sure the girls at the clubhouse know they will be on their best behavior and clothed respectably until ten p.m. when the wives and children leave.

“Is Avery awake, Liz?” Mom asks, and Liz nods.

“She is, but Sadie Jay is buried under a pillow, contemplating her life’s choices and redefining her limits when it comes to the Taming of the Shrew.” They both laugh.

“I’ll see my way out of this conversation since I’m sure my two cents won’t help anyway.” She glances over at Liz who gives her a knowing smirk. She makes a quick exit toward the room where Avery is staying to check on her. I’m sure she’s fine, but everyone was a bit concerned after she passed out. Mom was determined to make sure she didn’t have any underlining medical issues we needed to be aware of while she’s staying here.

Caleb stares at me over his cup as I watch Mom disappear into the bedroom down the hall.

“What’s the look for, old man?” I ask.

“Not a damn thing.” Caleb says, smiling.

“I called your mom to check on her.” Pop says. I nod. “How is the girl?” He asks. The other three men all turn to face me now wondering the same question.

“She was asleep on the bed in Maggie’s old room last I checked. Liz was just back there with her. Why don’t you ask her how the girl’s doing?” I offer, stepping into the kitchen and grabbing a cup and filling it to the rim with coffee.

I’m going to need something stronger before the day’s out.

“She was getting dressed. I told her to take her time and come out when she’s ready.”

“She trusts you.” Caleb pointedly looks at me as he speaks.

“So, you’ve said.”

“I saw how she clung to you like she knew you would keep her safe. You need to be sure you don’t break that. She needs to feel safe with all she’s got going on around her and all the things she has yet to understand. She’s going to need to feel grounded somehow to someone.” Caleb says, raising his eyebrow at me.

“She doesn’t even know me. Hell, judging by the way she spouts off at me, she doesn’t like me much either. Why would think she trusts me?”

“Well, unless you know where she is, you won’t have to worry about who she trusts. She won’t be anybody’s problem anymore,” Mom says sarcastically as she casually strolls into the room and leans against the doorway. Liz bites her lip as if reigning in her laughter, but none of us finds this news the least bit funny.

“What the hell do you mean?” Gabe slings his chair back, getting to his feet as we all start stomping our way down the hall to her room.

Caleb heads back into the kitchen, sits at the counter, picking up his coffee cup. He smirks, offering me the seat beside him. “You don’t have to look so worried, son. She didn’t get too far. I’m sure she’s fine.”

“How can you be so sure? She doesn’t know these woods like we do. She could be lost out there.” I struggle to not let on how much I want to tan her ass for taking off on me—again.

“Because she’s not in the woods. She didn’t run. Our Bug is safe and sound out on the porch.” He points toward the back window. “Plus, she left her bag out here. It’s in the corner of the room.” He smiles over his coffee cup. “If she meant to run, there’s no way she would’ve left it here.”

Looking out the window, I see Avery’s body balled up in the swing. Her arms wrapped around her knees, making her look small and frail. How could she not be after everything she’s been through over the last twenty-four hours?

“Why don’t you go grab her bag and let’s have a look inside?” Caleb suggests. “Might give us some idea of what she’s running from, or where she’s running to. Best do it while Sadie’s still knocked out, too.”

I do as he asks, and grab the backpack, bringing it back to the kitchen and hand it to Caleb. I’m hesitant to look. I’m not into digging through a woman’s belongings. God knows all the shit they pack away into these things, but Caleb’s right. There might be something in here that could help us figure this shit out.

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