JACK: Las Vegas Bad Boys(54)
I look at Jack. How do I explain? What do I explain? I have no clue where I should start, because I am terrified of where it might end.
“The people that I thought were my family were really, really horrible to me.” I bite my lip, my whole body shaking.
“Oh, sweetie,” Teri says. “You don’t need to say anything right now.”
“The doctor said I needed a lawyer,” I tell them. “But I don’t want to press charges. I mean it.”
Jack’s clenches his jaw, his eyes narrow in on me. “Maybe we should ask Denzel his opinion.”
“He’s Ace’s lawyer,” Ryan tells his parents. “He’s the best.”
“I know he’s amazing, but I can’t talk to anyone right now. I’m exhausted. Can we all go to Jack’s and just ... be? And then talk to the lawyer tomorrow? Or, Jack, maybe you can explain all of it to them? I just can’t anymore.”
“Of course,” Jack says. “Of course, baby.”
He puts his hand on my back, steadying me, and takes me home.
Chapter Twenty-Two
JACK
I don’t want to leave her side, but I need to make a fucking game plan about how to ensure my woman’s safety.
Once I settle her in the living room of my loft with the girls and Teri, I peel away into my office with Ace, Landon, McQueen, my dad, and Jeb.
“How you holding up?” I ask McQueen.
He looks at his dad; both men shake their heads. “This is fucking insane, is what it is.”
“You haven’t even heard the half of it,” I tell them.
“What do you mean?” Jeb asks.
“The family she grew up with was the Anarchy Motorcycle Gang.”
“What the hell?” McQueen asks, his eyes aflame. “Fuck, that’s crazy.”
“A motorcycle gang kidnapped a little girl?” my dad asks, incredulous.
“Yeah. The woman who kidnapped her was a little ... out of it. Mentally. From what Tess has told me, the woman was really protective, really wanted a child. She must have been obsessed with getting one at any cost.”
“Fuck,” Ace says shaking his head. “I mean, it makes sense—any means necessary. No way would a couple in a biker gang be allowed to adopt.”
“I suppose.” Landon shakes his head. “But damn, poor girl.”
“Poor girl is right,” my dad says. Clapping Jeb on the back, he adds, “I’m so sorry.”
Ace is less inclined to get sentimental. “I’m gonna fuckin’ kill those bastards.”
“I’m right behind you.” McQueen straightens his shoulders. “Who the hell do they think they are?”
“They are the most elite bikers in the country,” Landon tells them, showing us his phone screen. He’s pulled up a motherfucking Wikipedia page on the Brotherhood. “This is high-profile shit. Were her kidnappers just random members?”
“No, he was the president,” I tell them, running my hands through my hair. “That’s why she was so freaked out about her face getting press time. She was scared they’d find her.”
“And have they?” Ace asks, getting to the heart of it, fast.
“They know where she lives, know who she is. They’ve scouted out my place, her place. That’s why we went to my parents—to get off the grid. But this morning, on my way to the hospital, I saw them again.”
“We need to call the police,” Jeb says. “Get you a lawyer, the whole nine yards. If I see them, I don’t trust myself, boys.” Jeb’s eyes are as fiery as his son’s, and he’s ready to fight.
I barely know the guy, but it fucking makes me proud that Tess has a father in her corner who’s willing to fight for her too. She deserves that. My woman deserves everything.
“We can’t call the cops.” My shoulders tense, and I draw in a breath. “Tess has reasons.”
The men pause, looking at me. “Does she want to return to those people?” McQueen asks tentatively.
“Oh, hell no,” I tell them. “But her reasons are ... substantial.”
“Let’s go talk to her.” McQueen shrugs. “Because I’m fucking ready to get revenge.”
I draw in a deep breath, knowing that a gang of bikers is looking for revenge, too.
Walking back into the living room, I ask Tess if I could have a moment alone.
Aware of how open my loft is, how there is actually very little privacy, and how right now I would fucking kill for some, I pull her into my bedroom.
I take her by the hand into my large bathroom and lock the door.
“Don’t worry, baby—I’m not gonna seduce you while all these people are here.”