Page 14 of Denial

Chapter Nine

Jinx

HOPE HASN’T GIVEN me the time of day since I talked to Killer about being with her. She’s been working nonstop in her attempt to get her mind off Becker and what he tried to do to her. I get where she’s coming from and I would more than likely do the same thing as her to get something so horrendous out of my mind. The only time Killer and Gwen can even see her over the last few days is if they go down to the store and take her out to lunch or something. It’s gotten so bad, Devil and I just learned our dad is on his way here. He’s using the excuse of needing to check on us for Mom when we know he just wants to be here to get information we don’t want to give him over the phone. I’m sure Killer also played a role in why he’s coming down here by telling him that I finally talked to him about things and that he’s given me his blessing to be with Hope. I can’t wait to have that conversation with my dad.

“Jinx, we’re headin’ to the shop to grab Hope for lunch. Why don’t you come with us today?” Killer says, walking in the common room with his arm around Gwen’s shoulders as she smiles up at her husband.

“Okay. I don’t have to be to work until later,” I answer him, pushing out of my chair and grabbing my phone to shove in my pocket before following them out of the clubhouse and toward our bikes.

Killer is parked at the end of the line since this isn’t his clubhouse. I’m the second bike in line as I make sure I’ve got Hope’s helmet in my saddle bag while putting mine on and strapping it in place. I don’t pull out before him to show him respect since he’s older than me and has been riding a lot longer. Once we get out on the road, we ride side by side. It doesn’t take us long to ride through town and pull into the parking lot of Phantom Auto. None of the bikes or Hope’s car are out front leaving all those spots for the customers. Killer and I pull in and park in the last spot at the edge of the building. I follow his lead and park next to him as we back in so we can pull out in a hurry.

Looking around the parking lot as I remove my helmet, I find Becker standing outside of a car and leaning on the door as if he has all the time in the world. I specifically remember telling him not to come anywhere near Hope. A growl escapes me as I start to take a few steps in his direction.

“Jinx, what’s goin’ on?” Killer questions me, his voice confused as he watches me closely.

“That’s the fucker who tried to drug Hope,” I answer Killer knowing exactly what I’m doing by telling him the truth of who this bitch is.

“You fuckin’ serious?” Killer growls, leaning down to whisper something to Gwen who heads for the store and disappears through the doors.

I remain at Killer’s side as he stalks across the parking lot with his eyes locked on Becker. The closer we get to the fucker, I can see the bruises and cuts on his skin from the beatdown King gave him. Becker stands up straight from his car and eyes us warily as we approach him.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doin’ here?” I growl, my voice coming out hard as I start to pant with the knowledge that this fucker doesn’t know how to listen to a word anyone says.

“I can go wherever the fuck I want to go,” he states as if he actually has a right to be here.

“Not on private property,” Killer states, standing in front of him with his arms folded over his chest.

“This is public property. As a business, I can park here and go inside the store and there’s nothing you can do about it,” Becker says, his voice wavering as Killer glares at him and doesn’t move an inch.

“I told you to stay the fuck away from Hope. You know this is where she works and thought we’d let you get away with showin’ up and harrassin’ her or makin’ her feel as if she’s not safe where she works?” I question him, stepping up in his face as Killer lets me do what I have to do in order to protect Hope.

“Hope is nothing more than a fucking slut who spreads her legs for anyone wearing a biker vest,” Becker states as my vision turns red and I snap.

Lashing out, I proceed to beat the fuck out of Becker where he stands. He tries to land a few hits and I barely feel them. The rage filling me is something I’ve only ever felt when someone hurts Hope and wants to make her feel less than who she truly is. Killer doesn’t stop me or try to intervene in any way as I beat the fuck out of Becker. The little bitch is whimpering and whining like a pussy and I know he’s going to try and retaliate in some way, but I don’t give a fuck. Becker can’t do anything to me that will hurt more than knowing Hope has been hurt by me more than I can even begin to understand.

After what feels like an eternity, Killer finally pulls me off of Becker. My arms are heavy and I feel as if I’ve run a marathon instead of beating the fuck out of a slimy piece of shit. I watch on as Killer gets in Becker’s face where he lays on the ground in a pool of his own blood.

“That’s my fuckin’ daughter, you sick fuck. If I find out you’ve come near her, where she works, lives, or anywhere she might be out at, I will come back and gut you. I’ll take my time and make the pain so intense you’ll be fuckin’ beggin’ for death. A death that I won’t grant you until I’ve made you suffer for every second my daughter has thought this shit is her fault, for every second you linger in her mind and let her allow self-doubt and pain to fill her. I won’t stop until I know that you’ve suffered a million times more than my daughter has. Even then, I won’t make your death easy. And before a bitch like you asks, no, I’m not threatenin’ you. That’s a motherfuckin’ promise,” Killer states, never raising his voice, showing the rage flowing through him, or appearing as anything other than completely calm and put together.

“You can’t fucking touch me. The sooner all of you damn morons realize that nothing is ever gonna happen to me, the better off you’ll be. Now, I will be in this parking lot or anywhere else I choose to be. If Hope is there, even fucking better. She’ll remember me for the rest of her life and that’s a guarantee,” Becker says as I reach out and pull Killer back so he doesn’t actually kill the pussy here in the parking lot of Phantom Auto.

I might accidentally kick Becker as I try to force Killer away from his prone baqqody where he lays on the pavement of the parking lot. Neither one of us looks back at the pussy as we finally head inside the parts store and see Hope leaning against the counter with her mom’s arms wrapped around her shoulders. I can see her body trembling from here and know that she realizes Becker’s in the parking lot.

“He’s not gonna hurt you, Baby Girl,” Killer says, walking up and wrapping his girls in his arms as the family hold onto one another.

“You can’t promise me that, Dad. Becker will do whatever he wants and that’s been proven here today. Even after King beat the fuck out of him and Jinx told him never to come near me again, he still chose to show up here and just stare in the store. I might not be on the floor a lot, but I do come out here and he’s in the perfect position to see me no matter where I go or what I’m doing,” Hope says, her voice wavering as tears roll down her face and fall onto Gwen’s arm.

“We’re not gonna let anythin’ happen to you, Hope. If it means keepin’ guys on you around the clock, that’s what we’ll do. I’m not gonna let anythin’ happen to you, Sweetness. I can easily have someone replace me at the bar on nights you have things to do that aren’t on the compound. When you’re here, I can be here with you because I don’t work durin’ the day. I will be your personal bodyguard and make sure Becker and everyone else leave you the fuck alone,” I state, my voice hard and gentle as I look deep into Hope’s bright blue eyes.

Neither one of us blink as Hope tries to find the seriousness of my words and Killer looks at me like I’ve lost my mind.

“Jinx, you have a life and Morgan won’t want you spending all that time with me,” she says, her voice cracking on Morgan’s name as more tears fill her eyes and I feel absolutely horrible because I did this part to cause her pain.

“Morgan doesn’t even factor into this, Sweetness. She has absolutely nothin’ to do with my life or what I do. There’s only one girl in my life who matters. I’m lookin’ at her right now. Hope, I need to make sure that you’re okay and that he can’t control you any longer. Becker doesn’t deserve a second of your time and I’m gonna make sure he can’t get close to you. When you’re here, you deserve to feel safe. You should be able to go out and do things without worryin’ if he’s gonna show up and pull some stupid shit. I’m gonna be stuck to you like glue and no one will get close unless you want them to,” I promise Hope, Killer, and Gwen as everyone keeps their attention locked on me and only me.

“I’m not a homewrecker, Jinx. Morgan needs you at her side and that’s where you should be. I’m sure King or the other guys can take turns hanging out with me,” she says, wiping the tears from her face before she grabs her purse from the counter and leads her parents to the back of the store so they can take her car to get lunch.

I remain where I am, watching her walk away from me again. Hope is always walking away from me and never lets me explain anything to her. I can’t really blame her these days, but I’m not with Morgan and she’s gonna learn that shit really quick. I’ll talk to Vault and make sure he knows I’m on Hope at all times. One way or another I’ll be there to protect her and make sure she’s as safe as she can be. I just hope that she doesn’t have a hissy fit when she realizes I’ll be on her ass twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

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