Page 129 of Jake's Angel
“He’s not interested in all the other women, you know?” Sadie says once we’ve calmed down. “I’ve known Jake a long time and I’ve never seen him like this over a girl before. He’s never stuck around for breakfast, and here he brings it for you every day.”
“Yeah, well, that’s not what our purple-haired friend says about it.”
“And what did Jake say when you asked him about Drea’s claim to him?” I snatch a pillow and shove it under my head, playing with the hem of my T-shirt. Sadie runs her fingers through my ponytail, something she does when I’m upset.
“He said it was bullshit. Explained what it means to make someone an ol’ lady and how club whores are after their cuts. Then he told me I was his. But I’m sure it was the muddled sex brain talking.”
“Oh, shit.” Sadie sits up, excited. “He said you were his? And what did you say? Did you agree to it?”
“I mean, yeah. He was eating my …” Sadie’s brows raise, and her smile is wolfish. “I couldn’t think straight.”
“I’m sure it’s difficult to make decisions when all your blood is rushing to your clit and his tongue is working its magic.” I roll over, burying my face in the pillow. Sadie can’t control her laughter.
Such a bitch sometimes.
After she calms down, she shakes my shoulder. “Avery, look at me.” The change in her tone has me rolling back to look at her. “He’s in this for the long haul. The guys don’t claim women lightly. It’s sacred to them. Like marriage.’
“No.” I shake my head. “I want to believe him, Sadie. With all my heart. But he feels guilty for a past that’s not his fault. He wants redemption. I want love.”
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
JAKE
We rollinto Devil’s Canyon and make our way through the back roads to the Oasis Hotel, where Parisi’s men meet us in the underground garage, telling us where to park the cages and our bikes. Gabe decided to bring two cages. One for the women, one for the guns. Ghost rode shotgun with Hawk, and Caleb rode with Pop.
I’m so wound up I can’t hardly see straight. The whole ride here I was thinking up ways I could punish Avery’s ass for doing something so dangerous and stupid. She has no idea who she’s trusting. Vincenzo is not some kind neighbor-next-door that you ask for a ride. Favors are not free with him.
She doesn’t know the danger she’s put herself in. Who’s out here. I know she’s not familiar with club rules and MC etiquette, but she’s going to need to learn fast if she’s going to stay around. And sheisgoing to stay around. Now that I’ve got her, I’m not letting her out of my sight again.
Vincenzo exits his SUV and guides us all to the elevator. After a series of security checks, we all cram into the metal box. It’s notsmall by any means, but our large bodies are crammed in here, filling it from corner to corner with no room to spare.
“What do you think the weight limit is on this thing?” Hawk whispers.
“Eight bikers and three thugs,” Caleb snickers back.
“It’s pretty tight in here. No way for anyone to move or run away, huh?”
“I swear to Christ, Hawk if you fart in here, I’ll pull out my Karambit and slice your fucking throat where you stand,” Pop threatens. Vincenzo and Matteo are muttering in Italian to one another, but I catch Santiago smirking.
The door chimes and we all flood out into the penthouse with Hawk bent over, laughing his ass off behind us.
Asshole.
“Here are your room keys. You may stay as long as you like, though I would suggest not overstaying your welcome.” He looks pointedly at Gabe with one arched brow. “Though I own the town, there are others who would see our mutual friendship as a threat and could incite a war.”
“Where are the girls?” Gabe asks.
“Upstairs. Perhaps we should chat in my office first before we bring them down.” Vincenzo doesn’t wait for a response. He’s already on the move toward his office.
“Papa!” a small voice shouts and a little dark-haired boy sprints toward Vincenzo. He squats down, lifting him in a hug and begins speaking in Italian to the boy. They talk for a minute, then Vincenzo kisses the boy’s head and sends him toward an older woman. She reaches her hand out and the young kid grabs it and follows her down the hall.
“You have a kid?” Hawk asks.
“Antonio is my son, yes. And none of you ever saw him.” Vincenzo’s appearance has morphed into the mafia kingpin his reputation speaks about. He’s always intimidating in his ownright, but this is different. This Vincenzo is deadly. Matteo and Santiago appear on each side of him, looking just as serious and intent.
“Understood,” Gabe says, a questioning tone to his words, but he doesn’t ask what we’re all thinking.
How did no one know?