Page 19 of Denial

We don’t speak until the doctor and nurse leave us alone once again.

“Baby Girl, you know we gotta talk about what happened. I’m gonna bring in Uncle Fox, Vault, Valor, King, and a few others to hear what you have to say. King and Fox have already watched the security footage but haven’t shown any of us what took place. Fox refuses and after seeing King lose his shit, I don’t want to see it for myself. I’m not lettin’ Jinx watch it either,” my dad says as my mom stands from her seat and leans over my bed to press a soft kiss to my forehead before leaving the room.

It's not long before my room is filled with the guys from the club. Most of them give me a nod while King, Fox, and Playboy come up to me and press kisses against my forehead like my mom just did. They each take a minute to look me over before moving to stand where they can around my room.

“I really don’t wanna make you relive this shit, Hope,” Vault says, his voice full of guilt and remorse as he looks at me in the hospital bed. “We need to know what happened. Whoever came in the store managed to cut the audio so we didn’t hear a single thing bein’ said.”

“It’s okay. I remember everything. The guy came in and immediately pulled a gun. I didn’t have a chance to disarm the security system and I’m grateful that I wasn’t able to so you guys and the cops were alerted. I tried to get away from him. I know all sorts of hiding places in the store because I’m always trying to scare Court and Bronx like they do me. I managed to hide from the guy and he passed me to go to the offices. While he was tearing them apart, I tried to get to the front door so I could leave. He caught me right before I grabbed the door handle.

“He knew my name and said something about Becker while he was there. The last thing he did was yank me back by my hair. When I fell, I cut my side on the shelf closest to me. That’s where that injury came from. He got a shot off as the cops were closing in. The guy left me there so he could run away. He told me he was gonna beat and rape me before killing me. I know he’s a hitman of some kind because he did mention taking the job for free. So, apparently I have a bounty on my head and I can guarantee it was put there by Becker,” I tell the guys as the tension in the air fills to boiling points and Jinx once again laces our fingers together.

“Baby Girl,” my dad says, his voice full of the torture filling him right now as he looks down at me and Jinx’ fingers tighten around mine. “I’m so fuckin’ sorry.”

“No. This is my fault. I was stupid and thought the security system would be enough protection for Hope so I could run down and grab somethin’ to eat. I should’ve stayed until the other guys got back to the store,” Raptor says, hanging his head as his shoulders slump in defeat and guilt.

“This isn’t on anyone. No one could have predicted that Becker was going to hire a hitman to take me out or that said hitman would come into the store to finish his mission. It happened and I’m just glad I’m alive. Raptor, don’t blame yourself for this shit,” I state, not looking from Raptor until he lifts his head and looks at me. “I don’t blame you, Raptor. You were hungry and I wasn’t about to make you wait any longer than I already had by going to lunch with my parents.”

“We’ll find him, Hope. Right now, the Wild Kings are out searchin’ for him and askin’ anyone they come across questions,” Vault informs me, his voice almost a whisper with the traffic outside my door. “When Officer Monroe comes in to question you, I want you to tell him the truth. The more eyes we have searchin’ for this fucker, the quicker we’ll find him. Don’t hold anythin’ back, Hope. We need you to feel safe.”

“That’s the thing. Right now, I don’t feel safe. No matter where I go or who I’m with, Becker always seems to show up. He’s been at the store more than once, sent a hitman there to take me out, and I’m pretty sure I’ve felt someone watching me when I’m in town. I don’t want to move home or anything, but right now I don’t feel safe in Pine View,” I tell the guys in my room honestly as we all look at one another.

“Baby Girl, we’re gonna figure this shit out. We’ve got safehouses all over the place we can send you to. I think you gettin’ away right now is exactly what you need. The rest of us will stay here and act as if nothin’ has changed. You’ll stay here until discharge and then we can send you somewhere. Does that work for you, Vault?” my dad says, his voice dark and deep as the Enforcer side of him comes out.

“Of course. I’m not gonna force Hope to remain where she doesn’t feel safe. We actually have a cabin that I think will work really good for her. It’s in the middle of nowhere, stashed with so many weapons she won’t need to worry about anythin’. There’s a lake you can swim in, I can send someone up there to fill the kitchen with food and drinks. I’ll make sure everythin’ is taken care of before you get released. When your mom and sister go back to the clubhouse in the next few days, I’ll have them pack a few bags for you so there’s no need for you to go to the compound at all,” Vault responds, plans already forming in his mind and showing why he’s the great President for this chapter of the club.

“Thank you. How many guys are goin’ with me?” I ask, knowing my dad, uncle, Playboy, and everyone else won’t let me go there unprotected.

“We’ll send up six guys. I want one inside at all times with the rest switchin’ outside guard duty. I’m also gonna send Bronx up too. He’s so worried about you and is here every day. The store is closed for now so the cops can complete their investigation and then the guys can clean up the destruction. If you don’t want to work there when everythin’ is taken care of, we’ll find somewhere else for you to work,” Vault assures me as he steps up to the end of my bed and places his hand on my lower leg. “I’m so sorry this shit happened to you, Hope.”

“Vault, it isn’t your fault either. I’m getting kind of tired. When the cops come in, I’ll tell them everything I’ve told you and answer all their questions honestly. I want this asshole caught so I can come back home. Becker needs to fucking be dealt with too. He’s gotten away with way too much shit his entire life and I’m going to make sure it’s stopped. His parents and him need to be taken down,” I state, steeling my spine to appear stronger than I feel right now.

“That fuckin’ bitch will be taught a lesson, Baby Girl. He won’t get away from this shit and neither will his parents. I’m gonna make sure of it. No one hurts my fuckin’ daughter and gets to continue breathin’ the same air you do, Hope,” my dad promises as he leans down and holds me close to him.

“We’re gonna head out. I know they’re gonna be in here soon to take you down for more imagin’. If you guys need anythin’ we’re all still in the waitin’ room,” Vault says, stepping forward and all the guys follow his lead with the exception of King and my uncle.

King and Fox spend some time with us as I start to fade with the medicine the nurse just came in to give me.

“Sleep, Sweet Girl. I’ll watch over you and keep your demons away,” Jinx says, leaning over and pressing his soft, full lips to the back of my hand as my eyes finally slide closed and sleep drags me under.

Chapter Thirteen

Jinx

VAULT PULLED EVERYONE into the conference room to let them know he was sending Hope to one of the cabins that’s going to be used as a safehouse. She doesn’t feel safe and he refuses to keep her where she’s afraid. I already talked to him, Valor, my dad, and Killer before we even enter the conference room. Hope isn’t going anywhere without me at her side. I don’t give a fuck how much time we’re gone or anything else. If she’s in a cabin somewhere no one can find her, Hope will be able to relax and continue healing the way she needs to. I’m going to make sure she gets plenty of rest and doesn’t push herself for any reason. I did talk to Dr. Smythe about her getting in the lake and it helping ease the aches and pains in her body from the stabbing and surgery. He is allowing her to get in the water because there’s a filtration system in place to remove the bacteria and other shit. Plus, there is a pool on the property that we can go in instead. Either way, I plan on getting her in the water so we can make sure her muscles don’t tense up and she’s able to remain relaxed. Hope loves the water and always has.

“You all know why we’re here. Hope will be released at some point and we’re gonna make sure she’s somewhere she feels safe without havin’ to look over her shoulder. Becker is fuckin’ stalkin’ her and no one can tell me any fuckin’ different. He shows up wherever she is and just watches her like a fuckin’ asshole. We’re gonna send her to the cabin a few hours from here. It’s in the middle of nowhere and in none of our names. A friend of the club has the property listed under her name and that’s how it will remain. So, I need volunteers to go with Hope, Jinx, and Bronx to the cabin. Know now that I have no clue how long you’ll be gone and we’ll make adjustments here for work and all the other shit,” Vault states, looking around the room as we all remain in our seats and I lock eyes with Bronx across the room.

Bronx accepted becoming a Prospect for the club and in the few weeks since he got his cut, none of us have had a single problem with him. He’s the oldest of our Prospects at twenty-one and the rest of the guys look up to him. They watch his lead and make sure they’re doing everything they have to for us. Bronx anticipates our needs and steps up when he sees someone not moving as fast on a job we’ve assigned them. The guy is all over the damn place and still works full-time at Phantom Auto. I wish I had some of his damn energy.

“I’m goin’. Failed Hope once and I’m not gonna do it again,” Raptor states as he looks directly at me with remorse and guilt filling his eyes.

Hope already told him this wasn’t his fault, but Raptor can’t let go of it. He’s shouldering all of the blame and we’ve all tried to talk to him but he won’t listen. Raptor is going to feel like shit until he believes he’s made up for whatever damage was done to Hope. I know that because it’s what he’s done in the past. Devil knocks into him with his shoulder before whispering something only Raptor can hear. Instead of answering back, I watch as my brother’s best friend steps away from him and ignores whatever was said. Not something you’d usually see happen between my brother and his best friend.

“Okay. Raptor, I’ll take over the store while you’re gone because Chrome can step up at the garage. Who else?” Vault asks, looking around the room as Ghost stands up and makes his way over to me.

“Not lettin’ the VP go without me. I’ll be there with him while Devil remains with you,” he states, remaining behind my seat as if I’m already in danger.

“I’m gonna go too,” Court speaks up from where he’s sitting next to Valor.

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