Page 71 of Jack

Okay. She explained things a little better there. I understand the structure of it. I’m just having a hard time believing people actually live like this.

“What does that have to do with me? I was fine at the guest house.” I’ve grown quite attached to that little house.

She sits across from me at the table and pushes a cup of coffee to me. “Because you’re Jack’s ole’ lady.”

I stop with the mug halfway to my lips. “What? That’s not true.”

She sighs and lifts her eyes toward the ceiling. “Come on, Lily. You’re in love with him. You have to sense he loves you, too. Jack may not have officially claimed you yet and given you a property cut, but you’re his.”

I prop my elbow on the table and lay my forehead in my hand. This is too much for one day. One minute, I’m being kidnapped by my abusive ex-boyfriend. Now, I may end up claimed as a biker’s ole’ lady. I already learned that ole’ ladies were patched members’ wives or serious girlfriends. No one mentioned the men claimed them. And just what does ‘property of’actually mean? Kayla can explain that on another day. My brain can’t handle any more today.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. I was looking forward to helping out in the clubhouse kitchen tonight. I’m not sure I have a job anymore since I didn’t go back after lunch. Emily’s cool and understands this club, so I probably do. I highly doubt I’ll ever visit the library again. Oh, and we can’t forget that another club is pulling one if not both, pranks around town. I hate the Midnight Mavericks, especially the one helping Joel today. Oh my gosh!”

I sit up straight and rapidly pat my hand on the table. “Kayla, can we get into that meeting?”

“Church?” She shakes her head. “No, women aren’t allowed. Prospects can’t even go. Just patched members.”

“But Pops said women did go if they were part of the problem,” I remind her.

She thinks about it for a minute and nods. “Yeah, that’s true.”

“I’mpart of the problem this time.”

“I know you’re scared, but we can’t rush in there.”

“No. That’s not it.” I reach across the table and grab her wrist. “Joel wasn’t alone today. He had help. I forgot to tell Jack.”

“Oh. Thatisimportant.” She quickly punches a few keys on her phone. “Let me try to call first.”

My legs bounce while we wait. Jack’s name lights up on the screen. He doesn’t answer. She tries Worley Bird next. He doesn’t answer. She groans loudly and drops her head.

“What?”

Kayla points and gives me a stern look. “I love you, or I wouldn’t do this.”

“Okay.” But what’s she doing?

She scrolls through her contacts. Her finger hovers over the phone for a long moment. Finally, she taps the contact. My eyes widen when Coty’s name and an older photo of him on a horse pop up on the screen. She lays the phone on the table.

Coty answers on the fourth ring. “Kayla? You and Lily, alright?”

She puts the phone on speaker. “Yeah. Lily needs to talk to Jack. She just remembered something important.”

He relays the message.

“Put it on speaker,” Jack’s dad yells.

“Angel? I’m here.” Jack’s voice sounds broken and strained. “Are you okay?”

“If I have to answer that right now, I won’t be.” I could lie if I had to answer, but telling the truth would rip me open again.

“Then don’t answer it, love. What did you remember?"

Kayla mouths the words,‘I told you.’Her smile is going to split her face.

“Joel wasn’t alone today. I think he had help.” No, I’m positive he had help. Time just makes it all feel weird and a little distorted.

“Okay. That’s very important. Why do you think he had help?”

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