Page 75 of Elling & Jackie

Brikken was always involved in something illegal. She'd known that from an early age. That's why the women were never included in the meetings, and the men never indulged their wives or girlfriends when they were questioned. How many times had she heard the term "club business" and been expected to shut her mouth and ask no more questions?

Still confused, Jackie lifted her shoulders and shook her head. "So, they knew they were getting caught and made sure the cops wouldn't find anything and be able to charge them with a crime? I don't see what that has—"

"I'm telling you the arrest wasn't because Elling had sent the Federal Agent after Brikken." Stassi's gaze hardened. "As much as I hate to admit it, because I really don't like the guy. The sting wasn't brought on by Elling or Slag Motorcycle Club. Brikken knew about the sting weeks in advance—that's what I heard."

"Who said it?"

"Jett."

She inhaled swiftly. So, it wasn't a rumor Stassi had overheard. If the explanation came out of the president of Brikken's mouth, it was true.

"What are you going to do, sis?"

"I'm..." She blew out her breath, her mind racing in circles. "I don't know."

Elling had come over to talk to her, knowing what happened to Brikken. When he claimed innocence, he hadn't been lying to her. He hadn't used her to get to Brikken or sent Agent Campbell after her family.

"Oh, my God." She closed her mouth, gawking at her sister. "Do you know what this means?"

Could she see Elling again?

Could she apologize?

Did she have anything to be sorry for? She was protecting her family.

Stassi's upper lip curled. "I don't like him, so it doesn't matter what it means to me."

She looked off into the distance at the fence surrounding the Brikken property. The pain in Elling's eyes when he'd come by to talk with her at the hotel and found Stassi with her had stayed with her. For some reason, she couldn't believe that his pain came from her anger. Something else bothered him.

Maybe he was frustrated over having to keep their relationship secret. She understood that emotion. For how much it excited her in the beginning, it only caused her more stress.

"I need to see him," she whispered.

"Can't you just let him go and take comfort that you didn't have your hand in why our brothers were picked up by the cops?"

She shook her head. "Not until I talk to him and listen to what he has to say."

"Sis, I can't go back to Portland with you. I have to go back to work." Stassi grabbed her arms. "I don't think you should see him alone or at all."

"I have to." She hugged Stassi. "Please, don't say anything to anyone."

"This isn't right."

She pulled back and held her sister in front of her. "Promise me."

Stassi studied her for several seconds. "Jackie."

"Don't Jackie me. Promise." She shook her sister, strengthened by her conviction. "Don't tell anyone."

Tears fell from Stassi's eyes, and she nodded. "I promise."

Her spine straightened. She wiped her sister's cheeks and pinched some color into them.

"Don't make me regret it," whispered Stassi.

"I won't. You know, I would never do anything to hurt any of you." She hooked her arm through Stassi's and stepped toward the door. "Let's go back inside and celebrate having our family all back together."

Doing things on her own and trusting her gut was part of living an independent life away from Brikken. She could date who she wanted, do things people couldn't tie to Brikken, and be loved for being Jacqueline and not Chief Stanton's daughter. That's what she wanted.

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