Page 37 of Jaded Red

Capone grabs their new cuts out of the closet and hands one to each of us. “You don’t deserve the prospect colors because,” I hold out Bones’ new cut and Trigger holds out Pretty Boy’s.

Trigger continues, “Because you deserve to wear these.”

We’re both grinning ear to ear when Bones and Pretty Boy take them out of our hands. They slide on their new cuts and grin from ear to ear. Bones looks like he is going to pass out before he wraps his arm around my neck, pulling me in for a bro hug. “I thought I was going to kill you.”

Hoots, hollers and fists slamming on the table fill the room and I’m grinning from ear to ear. Capone slaps both of them on the back. “You deserve them, fuckers. Now take a seat and be ready. You can party after we're done.”

“Fuck, I remember my patch party,” Derange says running a hand down his face. “You’re going to get so much bunny and beer, you’ll swear they multiply.”

“So much ass, you’ll go cross-eyed.” Trigger chimes in.

Capone slams his gavel on the table, ending the chattering. “OK, we have one more order of business to discuss. Bones, the floor is yours.” Bones clears his throat and goes to stand up but Capone stops him. “You don’t have to stand, we can hear you just fine while sitting.”

Bones’ face burns red from embarrassment but he sits back down. “I was monitoring Red’s computers while he was out with Nadia meeting Nolan and Krimson when I got an alert.” He levels his gaze in my direction. “Josiah is back and he’s stalking your woman. He was never caught before because we didn’t look each time she went to the doctors. So, I did some searching and found him in every single camera that picked up Nadia everytime she was outside this Clubhouse. Even when she went for a ride with Kensi and Aftermath. You were all oblivious to him because he stayed in the background and shadows, hiding like he knew what he was doing.”

“What!” I roar slamming my fist down onto the table. “The motherfucker has been here this whole time and we didn’t know!? I didn’t know!?” I’m pissed. I’m beyond pissed, I swear steam is coming out of my ears. “This is absolutely unacceptable. I will run surveillance twenty-four, seven on all of us. There is absolutely no way will I let Josiah near my woman again. I will end him. I will slit his throat and watch him bleed.”

“There’s more.” Bones swallows hard interrupting my manically tirade. “He was inside her apartment moments before she got there. Then went back in after she left with Aftermath and Kensi.”

“Holy shit.” Aftermath lets out a long exhale. “How did the motherfucker find us?”

“I have a theory.” Bones speaks up. “If I can show you with Red’s laptop.”

I shove it Bones’ way and he begins typing on the screen. His fingers are flying over the keyboard. He turns it around so we can all see it. “Watch what he does in Nadia’s apartment. This is the only clear shot I can get of him.” Bones hits play and the screen comes alive.

Josiah comes out of Nadia’s apartment. He stops, pulls his phone out and checks something. He looks to the left then goes right just as Aftermath, Kensi and Nadia walk up the stairs. My blood boils realizing how close he got to her. What if Aftermath didn’t go up with her? What if she left on her own? How the fuck did he find her and know exactly when she’d be coming?

“Holy shit.” My stomach drops into my toes. “He implanted a tracker on her.” Anger brews deep in my gut. That slimy motherfucker planted a fucking tracker in my Ol’ Lady. I’mgoing to rip him to shreds and spit down his throat for violating Nadia.

“What are we going to do about this?” Capone asks.

I smirk with an idea forming in my head. “I know just the thing, Prez. One way to get the motherfucker out of our lives and end him once and for all.”

Chapter Seventeen

Nadia

I’m sitting in the common room with Nolan, Krimson, Danyella, Jezebell, Daisy and Kensi. Nina has the twins at the pool table, teaching them how to play. Neither MJ nor Jaxson can reach the table, but she’s a natural at keeping them entertained. Jezebelle is bouncing her baby girl on her knees while Naomi laughs.

Knight, Daisy’s twin brother and future prospect, and Seth, Jezebelle’s son are behind the bar, cleaning. I’ve been uncomfortable since we came back from our dinner with Nolan and Krimson but I’m not saying anything yet. If it gets worse, then I will.

“Hey, sis. How are you doing?” Nolan asks, sitting next to me on the couch.

“I’m doing good.” I turn to face him. “Listen, Nolan. I’m really sorry for everything.”

Nolan holds his hand up to stop me. “Don’t apologize, Nadia. I’m the one who should be apologizing, not you. I get why you were so scared and didn’t want to see me.” He gently takes my hand in his scarred ones. “When you found me, I was going through some shit of my own and wasn’t in the right headspace.” His eyes trail to Krimson sitting at the bar with Danyella andDaisy. “If it weren’t for Ashley, I would still be struggling with the darkness inside of me. Neither one of us had the best upbringing, but together we can give this little one all the love neither one of us had. That is if you’ll let me.”

Tears form in my eyes, “Of course I want you to be a part of our baby’s life. You’re going to be the best Uncle to our little boy.” I shift and try to get comfortable but it’s not helping. “I need to go for a walk.”

Nolan is watching me with worry in his eyes. “Are you OK?”

“Yeah, just a little uncomfortable at the moment. Nothing a long walk can’t fix.” I stand up with the help of Nolan and walk through the garage until I get outside. Red and the rest of the Royal Bastards are still in their meeting and will probably be there for a while. The night air is crisp in my lungs and I’m feeling better already. I walk the perimeter of the fence and look across the deserted land. Lights from Los Angeles are twinkling in the distance and the four-oh-five is filled with headlights and taillights. A slight breeze coming behind me ruffles my hair and I turn in its direction, letting it cool my face down. A snap of a twig on the other side of the fence has me spinning around to look but I’m not seeing anything. An eerie feeling settles deep in my stomach.

“Who’s there?” I shout into the night. I know I’m well protected here and no one can get in or out unless they come through the gates, but that doesn’t stop the hair on the back of my neck from rising. It’s too dark to see anything on the other side of the fence, but I have a sudden feeling I’m not alone out here.

As I slowly back away from the fence another breeze picks up and with it a scent I will never forget. It’s buried deep into my subconscious and will haunt me for the rest of my life. He’s here and he’s watching me. Fear and panic bubble to the surface and the uncomfortable feeling I’ve been having doubles. Wetnesspools between my legs and I turn to run back into the Clubhouse. I make it to the door when a cramp has me doubling over. I cry out, clutching my lower belly.

“Fuck.” I breathe through the pain and wait for it to subside. Once it does, I take another careful step. I control my breathing so I don’t have another cramp. I open the garage door and slowly make my way down the garage attached to the Clubhouse. I’ve had to stop a few times and breathe through the cramping. I reach the common room and breathe a sigh of relief. Now I just need to get someone’s attention. I open my mouth to shout for help when a sharp pain stabs me in the stomach, taking my breath away. I collapse on the floor moaning and clutching my stomach. Something is happening and I don’t know what. I’m all alone and no one knows what is happening to me or my baby. It’s the story of my life. No matter how hard I try, I’m always left alone.

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