Page 32 of Broken Skulls

Her hands land on her hips. “JD, if she’s down there, you need to tell me right now.”

I drop to the couch, resting my arms across the back of it. “You’re funny. Did you get the lamps finished?”

Lily turns back to the window. “Shit! I knew it,” she squeals, jumping up and down. She narrows her gaze on me. “You don’t understand. Jesse is coming, and she’s not alone.”

The windows rattle as bikes begin to spill into the yard. I jump to my feet suddenly angry they’re invading my personal space. “My own fucking club?”

She grabs my arm, hanging on to it. “She doesn’t mess around when it comes to protecting women, JD. You know this! Please tell me she’s not here.”

I pull away, determined to stop them at the door.

Jackson is just stepping foot on my porch when I walk outside, closing the door firmly behind me.

“You guys bringing the party to the junkyard?” I ask, dropping my ass down on the top step.

Jesse slides off the back of Dirk’s bike, shaking out her long silver-grey hair after removing her helmet.

Jackson tosses a thumb in her direction. “You know how she is when she gets something in her head.” He tips his to the side, studying me.

I laugh. “What’s in her head?”

“She thinks you got a woman in your basement.”

This makes me laugh harder, but in my mind I know the gig is up. And I just remembered I left Lily inside. I’m sure she’s already discovered my hidden treasure.

Jesse brushes past me and into the house.

“Go on. Help yourself. Beer is in the fridge.” I wave my hand toward the front door.

Slowly I stand, feeling uneasy as the men of the club watch the front of my house.

“Jesus. You do have a bitch in your basement, don’t you?” Jackson groans. “Goddammit, man.”

Tank slides off his bike, his gaze narrowing on me. But I don’t have time to worry about him, or any of the men for that matter, because my front door swings open, banging loudly against the side of the house. Next, Jesse comes barreling out, fists swinging.

I throw my hands up, blocking her, but I don’t try to stop her.

No one does.

Until a woman cries out. “Stop! What are you doing?”

Jesse pauses, looking over her shoulder. Lily has her arm around Elizabeth, helping to balance her as she covers her eyes, trying to adjust to the sunlight.

“Lizzie?” Tank shouts, running toward the porch.

Before I know what is happening, Elizabeth is pushing her way past Jesse and throwing herself into my arms. She wraps herself around me tightly.

“That’s not my name!” she screams at him. “Leave Jacob alone.” She finishes on a sob before burying her face in the crook of my neck.

Everyone is quiet.

“Her name is Elizabeth,” I say to the group.

Tank huffs, shaking his head like he can’t believe what he’s seeing or hearing.

“Okay. Let’s all chill the fuck out,” Jackson orders calmly, holding out his arms.

Jesse chuckles darkly. “Chill out? He had this woman locked in a dark room in his basement, Jackson. I’m not finished with him.”

---