Page 20 of Deceit

Thankfully no one says a fucking word about me using a cane and limping because the muscles in my leg don’t want to work right now. Getting in the office, Blood takes his seat behind his desk while his sons stand behind him. Jinx and I take the two chairs across from Blood and I get comfortable before talking to them about what’s going on.

“First of all, I want to thank you for meetin’ with me and for your club participatin’ in the ride when I had my crash,” I say, looking at Blood, Scathe, and Ace. “Jinx is holdin’ a tote filled with things someone has been leavin’ on Brynn’s porch. She told me it started shortly after she moved in and has been gettin’ progressively worse. The last shit she got is the worst of all. This tote is filled with photos of her and notes that have been left behind. I have removed a few of the photos just because you don’t need to see her like that. Brynn knows I’ve removed those from the tote and they have been locked in the safe at our clubhouse.”

“We’re big fans of yours and have been since you started racin’. Heard about the ride and made sure we were there for it,” Blood states. “Besides, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen Slim and some of the other guys. We would’ve been there regardless of if it was for you or someone else. We didn’t use to do charity rides, but we’ve gotten into them more over the last several years. Your ride was among the first we did.”

Jinx stands up and hands over the tote. Blood sets it on his desk and looks at his sons before removing the lid and standing from his seat while being crowded on either side by Scathe and Ace. They start sifting through the notes and pictures. Jinx and I remain in our seats, watching them as they look through everything she’s saved.

“Are you fuckin’ kiddin’ me?” Scathe explodes when they’ve finally looked through it all. “My baby girl has been gettin’ this shit since she moved and we’re just now hearin’ about it?”

“I’m sorry, Scathe. Brynn has her reasons and she’ll tell you them herself. I didn’t ask her because that’s a conversation you need to have with her. I won’t betray her in that way,” I state, looking between Brynn’s family members.

All three men are trying their hardest to hold back the rage they feel. I can see it in their eyes and by the veins pulsing in their necks that are sticking out more than a few minutes ago. Blood drops in his seat and stares at the tote filled with everything.

“Have we hurt her so much over the years that our girl doesn’t feel like she can talk to us about this shit?” he asks no one in particular as his rage turns to pain and heartache.

“No, Dad. This is my daughter tryin’ to protect us and make sure we don’t overtake her life. She wanted to ignore the situation and the only reason it’s comin’ out now is because Kingston has been involved. You saw the note and those pictures of him. I’m guessin’ you’re the man she was talkin’ about when she mentioned somethin’ about a bet?” Scathe states, turning his glare on me and waiting for me to defend myself.

“Yes, sir. I did go to the bookstore she frequents because I lost a bet. However, all thoughts of the bet flew out of my mind the second I saw her sittin’ on the second floor of the store. She was lost in her book but still knew if someone was near her. Brynn completely captured my attention in that second and the only thought I had was gettin’ to know her. It wasn’t even a thought—it was a desperate need and I couldn’t fight it even if I wanted to. I’ve explained this to Brynn and apologized for not tellin’ her about the bet. We’ve been out on one date and I was plannin’ on tellin’ her but didn’t want to push her away before she had a chance to see who I truly am,” I answer, never looking away from Scathe so he can see and understand the truth of my words in regards to his daughter.

“I’m not speakin’ for my best friend here, but I will tell you when he saw Brynn again, we were on our way to the clubhouse after a physical therapy session. Kingston can’t stand on his own after one of those sessions, but he demanded I pull into the parkin’ lot of the bookstore. Walked inside and upstairs to talk to Brynn and give her his truth. He was covered in sweat and couldn’t walk on his own by the time I got him out of there. That’s how important Brynn is to him,” Jinx speaks up on my behalf as Scathe, Blood, and Ace look at me.

“How are things goin’ after your crash?” Ace questions me, putting off the talk about Brynn’s situation for a minute.

“I have my good and bad days. This time I was in more pain from therapy, but that was yesterday and today I’m up and movin’ around. I have to think that means I’m gettin’ stronger. Hate appearin’ so vulnerable and weak in front of you,” I admit as I let my eyes drop to the floor at my feet.

“You’re standin’ on your own two feet after a horrific crash you almost didn’t survive, King. I’d say you’re showin’ us how fuckin’ strong and determined you are,” Blood says, a small smile on his face. “Exactly what my grandbaby needs in her life. Gonna say this once and only once. You hurt Brynn and I’ll bring the entire club to your fuckin’ door. We will rip your entire world apart. I’m sayin’ it because I’ll be nicer than my son. He’s worse than anythin’ you’ve ever heard about me when it comes to his girls.”

“Not gonna hurt her. Ever. Things go my way, I plan on makin’ her my ol’ lady and marryin’ Brynn as soon as she’ll let me. She’s my future and there is no one else for me,” I state, nodding back to the tote between us. “Need to know if anyone here has any idea of who would be after Brynn and doin’ this shit to her. We’re too new for me to have any solid ideas.”

“There’s only one person I can think of. Name is Jerome Battle. He was a Prospect for the club when Brynn was younger. I think she was maybe ten years old. Battle had an unhealthy obsession with my girl and I caught him followin’ her around the compound. It wasn’t until he tried to follow her into the bathroom that I lost my shit on him. Ace was on a run, but after I beat the hell outta him, Blood took his turn. We voted him out the second Ace and the guys with him got back. While he was waitin’, Jerome was locked in a cell. He begged and pleaded to get out, sayin’ Brynn was his ol’ lady and she loved him as he loved her. Made me fuckin’ sick and I was outvoted to put a bullet in his brain. If this is him, my girl is in more danger than you know,” Scathe says as Blood and Ace think about his words and I can see the moment they both realize who Scathe is talking about.

“That slimy motherfucker!” Ace yells, punching a hole in the wall of his dad’s office. “You find him, King, we want him. Don’t give a fuck what condition he arrives here in as long as he’s still fuckin’ breathin’.”

“Not gonna take that shit from any of you. I just need to know names and anythin’ you can think of so I can get to work and find this fucker before anythin’ more happens. Brynn is scared. She was shakin’ and it took her a while to fall asleep when she showed up at the clubhouse to tell me. She had followed us back there yesterday and spent the rest of the day with me. Left when I woke up to go home and get some sleep. Brynn didn’t sleep when she was home. I guarantee she sat there, alone, and jumped at every noise she heard. She’s got bags under her eyes even after sleepin’ next to me. I promised her I’d figure it out and I plan on keepin’ that promise,” I inform them, telling them more of what they need to know so I get all the help they can give me.

“Jerome Battle is my guess as to who’s behind this shit. If we think of anyone else, we’ll give you a call, King. I’m gonna call church and let the guys know what’s goin’ on. Maybe one of them have seen somethin’ over the years one of us missed. Not gonna tell the women. If Brynn comes clean to them, that’s on her. She’ll keep this to herself as long as possible if I know anythin’ about her,” Blood informs me as I stand from my seat with Jinx and we make our way out of his office. “You two be safe headin’ home. Tell Brynn we’ll call to check on her tomorrow. We’re trustin’ her to you, King. Don’t let us down.”

“I won’t. Brynn will be kept as safe as if she were here with you,” I assure them as Jinx follows me from the room and we make our way back through the common room and out to my best friend’s truck.

The trip home is almost silent. I’m thinking about going home and getting to work on digging up everything I can find on this Jerome Battle. I’m not gonna call my dad in on this just yet. He’d help me in a heartbeat, but this is on me. I need to be the one to protect my future ol’ lady and make sure Jerome pays for his sins. This stupid fuck has no clue about the hell he’s unleashed by coming for Brynn. He doesn’t just have King’s Vengeance on his ass, he’s got every chapter of the Phantom Bastards coming for him as well.

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