Page 89 of Jake's Angel

There’s a commotion outside the room coming down the hall. Boots stomping and voices shouting at each other as they get closer and closer to my room. The door is closed, but whoever it is seems to be on a mission.

“I don’t give a shit what you say! Go back to your flavor of the night and let me see my girl! You and your asshole friends have done enough tonight, don’t you think?” I hear Sadie shouting outside the door.

“God damn it, woman!” Hawk roars at her. They’re loud enough now they must be right outside the door. Avery lifts her head at the sound of Sadie and Hawk shouting at each other.

“Don’t you darewomanme! We brought her here because she was supposed to besafeamong the brothers! So far, all you’ve idiots have managed to do is hurt her—repeatedly. The whole fucking lot of you. So, forgive meNathaniel,if I don’t believe you’re the ones who should take care of my best friend right now.” Her voice sounds strained, erratic and emotional. Avery sits quiet but listens very intently, as do the rest of us.

“Just open the door and let me see her, please.” She practically begs.

Avery moves off my chest long enough to look me in the eyes. With a subtle nod, she asks without saying a word.

“You want Sadie in here with you?” Avery nods again. I ask Caleb to open the door, and Avery puts her head back in the crook of my neck.

Sadie must’ve been about to knock when Caleb opens the door to find her hand raised. He grabs her and pulls her to him in a bear hug, whispering something in her ear. She nods against his chest, sniffling. Caleb kisses the top of her head and holds her there for a minute. Pop watches their interaction, but doesn’t move from his spot. I tamp down my anger for the moment, keeping in mind the beautiful girl who is currently balled up in my lap.

Sadie’s right. We’ve gone about this all wrong. Avery never should’ve been kept a secret. She should’ve known who her family is and been allowed to be a part of their lives. Then maybe she would trust us enough to tell us what the hell is going on with her now.

Sadie turns her head in our direction but doesn’t move out of Caleb’s hold. “Aves, are you okay now? You want me to kick all these jerks out of here so we can talk privately?”

Over my dead body.

“It’s my room, sweetheart. If anyone is going to be kicking people out, it will be me.” Sadie sticks her tongue out and I feel Avery chuckle softly against me.

Hawk stands in the doorway watching their interactions. Avery meets his gaze, and lets out a small sad smile, then shrugs her shoulders. Hawk returns her smile. Avery looks back at me and whispers, “Can we get out of here, please?”

It’s the first words she’s spoken since saying my name. She’s not comfortable with everything happening here, and to behonest, neither am I. She’s not going to speak freely here, but I need to find out what happened. If taking her out of here will get me those answers, then that’s what I’m going to do.

Standing up with Avery in my arms, I don’t stop to ask permission or wait for orders. I head for the door. Hawk moves out of my way, tipping his chin. “I’m taking her home to get some rest. We’ll talk about this more in the morning.”

“Now wait just a fucking minute!” Gabe shouts, causing Avery to jump, pressing her head deeper into the crook of my neck. I glare at him. He’s my president, but it doesn’t stop me from wanting to knock his ass out for scaring her again.

Caleb sees her reaction and grips Gabe by the shoulder. “Let them go, son. She’s terrified, and she’s tired. Let him get her away from here and calm her down a bit. I’m sure she’ll talk when she’s ready.” He coaxes.

Gabe and Pop are not happy with this plan, but I don’t give a fuck. They follow us out to the parking lot. I set Avery down next to Pop’s SUV and grab the keys out of my pocket.

“I’ll bring it back in the morning.” He nods and takes the keys from me, opening the passenger door. I load my Angel into the car, wrap the blanket around her, then fasten her seatbelt. I caress her cheek with my hand and watch her face as she leans into my touch, making something in my chest feel warm. I give her a kiss on the forehead, close the door, and make my way around to the driver’s door. Gabe tells me he’s calling church tomorrow at noon, which gives me plenty of time to take care of my girl.

My girl.

She heard you. She doesn’t want to be your girl.

Too bad.

She’ll get over it when I explain why I was being an ass. She’ll learn soon enough—she’s mine.

Sheneedsme. Truth is, I need her too.

“Where are we going Jake?” she asks softly. Her voice is still filled with worry.

“Just like I said, I’m taking you home.” Her eyes widen and a ghost of panic flitters across her features. I reach over and take her hand in mine, reassuring her.

“We’re going to my house. You’ll stay with me tonight. No one will bother us there.” Avery settles into her seat and closes her eyes.

She fell asleep shortly after we left the clubhouse.

I pull up to my house and park. I make quick work of getting out and getting to her door. She opens the door for me, and I release her seatbelt, then lift her in my arms.

She’s exhausted from all the stress. I cradle her closer to my chest and kick the door closed with my boot. She stirs for a second, then looks up at me, startled.

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