Page 112 of Jake's Angel
“I do love our talks, Gabriel.” He sighs. “I knew Avery was your daughter long before she arrived in our little town. Her grandfather, Russell, is a business partner of mine as well.”
Both Pop and Gabe look shocked to hear this bit of information.
“I once saw your daughter in the Petali di Rosa restaurant,my restaurant, in Baron’s Edge. When I asked, Russell told me she was his granddaughter.” He smirks and nonchalantly says, “I knew you were once married to Russell’s only daughter. I put two and two together.”
The two men stare at each other, neither backing down. The air in the room is stifling. After what feels like forever, Pres starts barking orders.
“Hawk, Declan, there’s a cage outside. You two and Jake take the girls to the clubhouse. Mack, go tell Dad I need him to come up to the office. Leave the prospect outside to watch the bikes. I want you to go with the girls.” Pop looks put off by his orders.
Gabe tilts his head, giving Pop a raised brow. In a low, gravelly voice, he says, “Get the basement ready. As soon as me and Pop are finished talking with Vincenzo and his guest, he’ll be delivered to you.”
Pop nods, still holding Jayde tight against his chest. Leaning down, he tenderly gives her instructions. Jayde doesn’t argue. She pulls off Pop’s chest and starts walking toward the door to leave. Santiago opens the door and leads the way.
Hawk and Declan go next. Sadie stands up, motioning for Avery to take her hand, but my Angel doesn’t move.
I pull her up off me, forcing her to see my face. “Can you walk, or do I need to carry you, baby?”
She moves off my lap to stand, but doesn’t back up too far. I push Sadie to go before me and grab Avery’s hand, tucking her under my arm, and walk her out to the cage.
When we get outside, I grab her chin in my fingers and tilt her face to meet my eyes. “Angel, I need you to go with Hawk and Declan, okay? I’ll be right behind you on my bike. You have my word. You’re too shaken up to ride.” She nods, releasing me, and heads out under the covering of Declan’s large arm. He kissesthe top of her head and ushers her to the door where Hawk is talking to Sadie.
Once the girls are loaded up into Pop’s truck, Hawk pulls out onto the street. I fall in behind them with Jameson and Ethan, who’ve been outside the whole time.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
JAKE
We pullinto the yard and park next to the clubhouse. Pop pulls up next to me. Hawk helps the girls out of the truck. Mason and Colt are quick to lend a hand. Sadie wraps her arms around Avery, laying her head on her shoulder, walking her inside.
Pop dismounts his bike, leaning on the seat with his arms crossed. “You got a name?”
“Not yet, but it’s the same fucker from before.”
“You sure it’s him?”
“Yeah Pop. Avery identified him.” Pop’s face turns stoic, his eyes ablaze with fury. Not saying another word, he takes off hauling ass into the clubhouse.
If I wasn’t so angry, I might be a little giddy at how quickly Pop has snapped back into his role as Enforcer. Knowing Pop’s about to have the asshole who left his fingerprints on Jayde’s neck, hand delivered to the basement—better known as his playroom—gives me a small reprieve from my own rage. I know Pop will want to enjoy his time alone with his new plaything.
I follow Pop inside and head straight for Avery. All I can think of is getting my Angel home and away from all this shit.
When I walk in, I don’t see her at the bar with the Jayde. Scanning the room, I still don’t see her anywhere. Jayde spots me and comes to give me a hug. “You ok?” I ask. I pull back to see her face. She smiles up at me and shakes her head in exasperation.
“Yeah.”
“Why are you shaking your head like I shouldn’t be checking on you?”
“You guys act like I’m some kind of porcelain doll who will break if someone touches me. I can handle myself just fine.”
“But you didn’t.”
Jayde lets out a long huff, throwing her arms up in the air. “He didn’t hurt me, just threatened to.”
“He left fingerprints on your neck, Jayde. He may not have hurt you, but he tried. That’s enough.”
“I saw Sadie coming with Matteo. I stayed calm for Avery’s sake. If I would’ve fought back, it would’ve made things worse. She looked like she’d seen a ghost. Whoever he is, she’s terrified of him.” Hearing Avery was that scared has me second guessing my decision to come here instead of helping Pop in the basement.
“You should know I’m all right since Daddy didn’t send me home, but let me stay here. If I was hurt, he’d take me straight to Mama so she could play nurse and take care of me.”