Page 32 of Jake's Angel

“Not that I’m not happy to see you, but what the fuck are you doing home so soon, and coming in under the cover of night?” I ask, turning so I can lean back against the side of his truck.

“It’s not night. It’s nearly seven in the morning, Jake.” He smirks.

“Uh-huh. And how many people know you’re in town? Have you seen Mom yet?” He scrubs the back of his neck with his hand. “That’s what I thought. She’s going to have your ass when she finds out you didn’t come straight to her first.” I chuckle, knowing exactly the kind of hell he’s going to catch from her. My mother is as sweet as they come and she’s loyal as fuck, but the one thing she won’t put up with is her man not coming to her before the club. She sacrifices a lot for him to be in the position he is in with Garrison and West Enterprises and all she asks is for him to see her first, before going to the club when he comes home.

“Yeah, I know. But this couldn’t wait. She’ll understand.”

“No, she won’t.” I laugh. Pop chuckles beside me as we walk toward the clubhouse.

“No, she won’t,” He agrees. “But I’ll find a way to make it up to her.” He smirks, giving me a wink and I shove his shoulder.

“I don’t need a picture of you two fucking in my head, Pops. Come on, man.”

He’s still laughing and shaking his head. “When you find a woman like your mother, you’ll do whatever it takes to make her happy. Rough sex makes your mother happy. Therefore, I use the tools God gave me to keep the peace in our home as often as I can.” He shifts his junk and walks past me through the clubhouse door and straight to the bar to pour himself a cup of coffee.

“Welcome home, Daddy!” Jayde squeals as she comes out from the hallway, running into Pop’s arms. He sets his coffeedown, not missing a beat. He’s lifting her up and spinning her around, planting a kiss on her cheek.

“Good to be home, Lil’ Bit. Hold up, let me get a good look at you.” He drops her to the ground and motions with his finger for her to spin around. She throws her arms out and does as a little spin, adding a curtsy for good measure. “You’ve grown to be just as beautiful as your mother, baby.” He pulls Jayde in for one more hug before releasing her and turning his attention back to me.

“Daddy, it hasn’t been that long since you saw me last. I’m pretty sure I look the exact same,” she sasses.

“Except for the flush on your cheeks, I’d say you’re right,” I interject. “What were you doing down the hall anyway,sis?Shouldn’t you be at work or school or something?”

Jayde glares at me around Pop, no doubt wishing she could throw flames from her eyeballs to melt my face, but the question remains. What the hell business does Jayde have coming out from the hallway where all the brother’s rooms are located?

“I came to ask Hawk if he could help me with an idea for Sadie’s graduation party.” Pop leans back, his arms crossed over his chest. I match his stance. Both of us are waiting for her to elaborate.

She sighs heavily, “Fine. I was asking him to help me with a gift idea.” We both stare at her. She throws her hands up. “I don’t speak car. I don’t understand her level of computer geek. So, I came to ask Hawk for ideas. Why are you two looking at me like I just shagged one of your boys?”

“Don’t say shagged,” we both grumble.

“And I am not a boy!” Hawk calls from behind her. He sidles up, draping an arm over her shoulder. “But she is telling the truth. She came to ask me for help with Sadie’s gift.”

“I need to get my butt moving before I’m late for work,” Jayde says, leaning up to kiss our cheeks. First Pop, then me. “I’ll see you later, Daddy. Suck a dick, Jake.”

“Love you too, sis!” I call out to her back. She flips me the bird, and I laugh at the little shit.

Gabe stalks over and throws his arms around Pop in a bear hug.

“It’s about time we got your ass back home, brother.”

“It’s good to be home. Would be nice if it were under better circumstances.” They share a look, followed by nods and Gabe shouting to the room, “Let’s go fuckers! Church. Now.”

We all pile in and take our places around the table. Gabe tells Declan to close the door, then proceeds to slam down the gavel, calling the meeting to order.

He shares a quick look with Caleb, who gives him a nod. Upon further inspection, I notice Gabe’s got dark circles forming under his eyes. He looks tired.

Maybe he’s having shitty dreams too.

He directs his attention to Pop and asks, “Where’s Russ? Do we have eyes on him?”

“He’s been taken to a secure location. His family and all the offices think he’s in Florida finalizing some business there. I have Wyatt and Luca with him now awaiting further instructions.”

“Does his wife know what’s going on?” Caleb speaks from his corner behind Gabe. Rising to my feet, I lean against the wall. I’ve got too much pent-up energy. I need room to move.

“She knows there’s been a threat. She knows about the missing asset. But she has been instructed to not speak publicly or otherwise until we’ve had a chance to investigate with our resources first.”

“And you trust her to keep her mouth shut?” Pres asks skeptically.

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