Page 40 of Beg Me

Jayce stands behind me. “Uhh hey, I’m Jayce.” Someone in the back shouts.

“The cop?” And Jayce looks down at the floor shaking his head.

“Yes, the cop… But, I guess I’m not a regular cop, I’m a cool cop.” I laugh out loud accidentally at his Mean Girls reference. I made him watch the movie so many damn times.

“I mean, uhh, I’m not turning anyone in for this shit. So, uhh, don’t do anything else bad and we’re good. But everything with the club is safe with me.”

Everyone nods. They seem happy with that answer. Jayce sits back down with me awkwardly.

One of the women stands up and walks to the front gathering our attention. Her short spiked hair glows under the orange light, making the red of her hair look like fire. She puts her hand on her hip popping her hip out. Her t-shirt drapes down her body hitting her thighs where the polka dot legging takes over her clothing.

“I’m Dev. I don’t like this guy very much.” She points at Zander and I furrow my eyebrows at her. “But I’m going to keep you safe, and I’m so sorry you’re going through this.” She puts her hand out to me, and I take it, shaking it.

“I do like this one, just for the record.” I point at Zander. Everyone chuckles lightly.

Joel stands up again. “So we came up with a bit of a plan, but wanted to talk it over with the cop.” He looks over at Jayce.

Jayce points at himself. “Me? Why me?” He looks genuinely confused.

“Because you can let us know if all of this will work or not.” He pauses. “Plus, if you know the plan, we’re less likely to get arrested. So, come here. I gotta make you a full accomplice.”

Joel pulls Jayce up to him and shows him some papers. They start talking about strategy and scheduling. I just listen and take everything in while reveling in Zander’s hand on my thigh.

Chapter 22

Zander

Iwake up and roll over rubbing my eyes. Oli has her back to me. While her head is tucked under Jayce’s arm.

We were exhausted after being at the gym for fucking hours last night. When we got home we all just curled up and passed out. I sit up and feel at ease.

I’m much less stressed out than I have been the last two weeks since this all started. We have a schedule now and I know more eyes are watching Oli and the bar than Jayce and I. I wish Janice was here, but she has a niece with high-needs care she helps with most days. She’s only able to be here on her scheduled work days. It’s killing her.

We’re in a much better place though. I climb out of bed and walk to the kitchen. The coffee maker fills the apartment with that beautiful smell. I hear Oli begin to stir and see Jayce’s arms reach up stretching. I pop bread in the toaster and start my morning.

Looking over at the front door I notice something on the ground and walk over to it. I lean down and pick up the white envelope. No markings on the outside, I open it and call out trying to hide the tremor in my voice.

“Hey, Jayce…I need you.” I hear him groan as he stands up getting out of bed.

He walks over, his bare feet pad off the tile with steady thud, thud, thuds. He walks up behind me and I turn, handing him the letter. Opening the letter he pulls out pictures of us laying in bed with her last night. They were taken from directly outside the window.

Jayce rubs his eyes trying to focus on what he’s seeing.

“What the fuck is this?”

I shrug. “I don’t know, it was at the door.”

He looks at the door, then walks back to the bed to get his phone from the nightstand.

“I thought the club was watching us. How the fuck did that get under the door?” He hisses at me, leaning in my direction. His arm gestures to the door angrily as he talks.

I walk to my side of the bed to get my phone and text Joel.

Someone managed to push a fucking letter under our door last night. Who was watching?

I don’t get a text back. I get a fucking call. Fucking old people. Why do you have to call me when I’m texting you? I text you for a fucking reason.

“Why couldn’t you just text me back?” I answer the phone grumpily.

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