Page 12 of Closing on Lynx

“Age is just a fucking number. I have seen eighty-year-old women act like they are seventeen and I have seen twenty-one-year-old women act like they are eighty. What matters is how you feel. If she is the one, then age doesn’t matter when the heart wants.”

“Aren’t you poetic,” I say, then snort as Jessikah walks toward Maple and Spin. She gets close, says something that causes Maple and Spin to look over at me with a shocked expression before they school their features. Then the foursome leaves the room.

“Pres, we approve,” Slick states and turns taping the bar for a round.

Maple and Spin come back in, their heads turning as if searching for something. When they land on me, they both head my way.

“We won’t say what she had to say. But that woman has seen and been through some horrible stuff. If you aren’t going to shit, then get off the fucking pot,” Maple states, pointing her finger at me before heading down the hall and out of sight.

“Pres. I won’t be as mean as Maple. But hearing what she just said to Spun makes me believe her story is one where she didn’t have anyone protecting her. She is outside right now, speaking softly about her peace being more important than her negative thoughts,” Spin says. She turns and follows Maple out of sight.

“The ball is your court. You need to decide if you can get over the age difference you made up in your head. Or if your heart has found its song. I will say, if you aren’t going after her, step the fuck aside, because I will.” Sue pounds me on the back and walks to the bar.

Walking to the door, I look over my shoulder. My family is happy. They are all safe. There aren’t any issues I need to focus on, so now it’s my turn to find my happiness. Opening the door and stepping out, I scan the area. Jessikah is over by my car. She is leaning on the trunk and looking up at the sky.

“Are you okay?” I ask, letting her know I am beside her. She sighs, dropping her head and wiping at her face.

“It is what it is. Look, I’m sorry that I said something to that girl. But what I said needed to be said. I won’t ever apologize for standing up against the bad. I think I need to be taken home. I don’t feel safe out in the open,” she mutters so low it’s a wonder I even heard what she said. I should have just taken her to dinner. I shouldn’t have brought her here.

“I still want to have dinner with you.” I reach out, running my hand down her arm. She jerks slightly, but doesn’t pull away.

“Honestly, I don’t feel safe. I haven’t felt safe for years, and now it feels like in the blink of an eye I can be removed from this place. Please, just take me home.” She stands from her leaning position, moves to the passenger’s side and gets into my car.

“Fuck.” I didn’t even get to take her on a date and I have already made her not feel safe. An idea forms. I lift the phone and dial the local diner and place and order for pickup. I may have screwed up this first date, but I plan on making it up to her.

Sliding in the driver’s seat and turning to look at her,. “I promised you dinner. Do you mind if we stop to pick something up and then go to your house and watch a movie?” She shrugs her shoulders. She has become compliant. It’s not something I enjoy in a woman.

Driving to the diner, my thoughts are on how I can make this night up to her. When I pull up to the diner, she smiles briefly. “Give me a few seconds. I’ll run in and pick up dinner.” She nods.

Walking to the door, I see an older lady selling flowers. I pay for two bundles and walk into the diner. My order is ready and I pay for it then quickly leave. The only thought on my mind is how to bring that feeling of safety back to her.

***

The car ride to her place is silent. She wipes at her face, brushing away the tears I know are sliding down her cheeks. I need to let her know I will protect her, but more importantly, she needs to know I will keep her safe. This woman has me feeling like the world needs to be better just so they can be in her orbit.

She opens her door and slides out before I have the chance to turn off the car. Her footsteps are quick. She isn’t running, but she is walking fast until she stops dead. Her hand comes to her mouth and then she lets out a blood-curdling scream.

“Jessikah!” I shout, jumping out of the car and running toward her. “What’s wrong?” I ask from behind her.

Her hand extends, finger pointing at her front door. Looking over her shoulder, I take in the scene. There is a stuffed cat in the scared position on her doorstep. The words ‘FOUND YOU’ in red paint across her door and the walls around her door. In the middle is an envelope with a switch blade holding it in place.

“Go and get back in my car. I am going to call the police and I will take you back to the clubhouse where my brothers and I can protect you.” She doesn’t move. Her mouth is hanging open, eyes are large, and she is frozen in place.

Me: *sends address* Get here quickly.

Sue:On our way.

Wrapping my arms around Jessikah, I guide her back to the car. Placing her in the front seat, I kneel and look her in the face. “I am going to call the police. When they get here, we will go inside. I want you to pack a bag and bring what you need with you. Until I know your house is safe, I want you close to me.”

“Moose, I need Moose,” she whimpers. Shit, her dog. I hope they didn’t do anything to him.

“We will get him and everything needed for you. Sit tight. Sue is on his way, and I am going to call the cops.” She nods her head as I close the door. Quickly calling my contact at the local police station and getting them to get here quicker than their normal response time.

Walking back up to the door, I begin to take pictures of the scene. I can hear Moose inside, barking and letting me know he is there. “Good boy,” I convey, hoping he hears me.

The blue and red flashing lights let me know the boys in blue are here, and the sound of the bikes rumbling down the street let me know Sue didn’t come alone. In fact, he brought all the brothers with him.

“Hey, what do we got?” Officer Rosette asks, she is one of the smaller officers on the force, but I have seen her take down a six-foot eight man like he was a tree she was chopping down. Next to her is her partner, Officer Lynn, another female officer, but her story is one that would scare anyone.

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