Jayden (Aces MC Series Book 4.5) (9 page)

"So when did that
happen?" Justice asked stepping closer before he bent down in front of me
to observe my leg a little closer.
"A couple of months now, I've been in rehab getting used to this fucking
thing." I lifted my leg forward and Justice caught it to examine the limb
further.
"Can we stop looking at him like he's in a fucking freak show?" CJ
bellowed as he handed me his sweatshirt so I could cover myself over at least.
I turned to CJ, "I'm fine mate, honestly." I pulled the sweatshirt
over my head and adjusted it, it swamped me but I was pleased to not be so
exposed.
"He's my fucking godson CJ, give it a rest." Justice stood and
stepped back to stand with Duke.
"I take it this is the reason you're back and that your dad doesn't
know?" Duke folded his arms across his chest and looked at me expectantly.
I nodded my head, "Yeah but I wanted to tell everyone when I was ready not
in these circumstances."
"Well Nemo, it's all out in the open now. The chicks are gonna dig that
shit, a war hero and all." I rolled my eyes as Recon stepped closer and
tapped the dog with his boot slightly, "I told you to get this shit
cleared up." He sneered at Lyric.
Lyric stood and went toe to toe with Recon, "That's enough you two. You
may be Sergeant at arms but I'm the President so stand down and give the bloke
a minute to fucking grieve." Recon winked at Lyric before he turned on his
heels and strutted towards the clubhouse. "And you," he pointed at
Lyric. "I told you that bringing that fucking dog here was a bad move.
You've got five minutes and I want that shit gone, Ramsey will give you a
hand."
I glanced at Ramsey to see him swallow hard, why did these blokes put up with
this shit? I was used to taking orders but never to clean up a fucking dead
dog!

"So Jay let's get you in and
cleaned up." Justice wrapped his arm around my shoulders and turned me in
the direction of the clubhouse.
"Hold up a minute Jay, why have you really come back here? Are you looking
to join us coz like I said before I'd happily sponsor you." I turned
slowly taking in his words trying to bide myself some time before I answered.
"I'm happy to be a hang around and help you and the club out if needed and
I really appreciate your offer Duke, it means a lot but I need to recover first
before I commit to anything."
He nodded his head, "I understand, I just wanted to ask the question again."

"Ask what question?" I
recognised that voice and I groaned as I turned to meet my dad's gaze before it
travelled from my face and down my body. "Why haven't you got any...oh my
fucking god what's happened Jay?" I opened my mouth to speak but was interrupted.
"You've lost a leg...you've fucking lost a leg!"
I glanced down at my prosthetic limb and faked a shocked expression as if it
was the first time I had seen it. "Oh my god you're right dad." I
stated covering my mouth, "I don't know how that happened?" I heard
the sniggering beside me and turned slightly to see CJ shaking his head
humorously which made me smile.
"Don't be flippant with me Jayden, this is a fucking shock!" Dad
shook his head as he tried to take everything in. I knew I was being horrible
but he grated on me at times, why did he always make a fuss, I was a grown up
and it was just embarrassing. I wasn't needy, I wasn't asking for sympathy, damn
I didn't even want them to know and I wouldn't have told them if that fucking
dog hadn't of thought my leg was a nice juicy bone.
"Can we do this some other time Dad, I'm near enough naked, I've got dog's
brains all over me and all I want to do is go and take a shower."
"No, I want to do this now!"
"Well I don't."
"What's wrong with all of my fucking kids? Why won't any of you talk to
me?" he screamed after me.
"We're adults, you've just gotta let us grow up dad." Hound went to
surge forward but I noticed Duke place his hand across dad's chest stopping him
from making matters worse.
I strolled across the yard towards the clubhouse and heard someone follow close
behind, I just hoped it wasn't my dad ready for round two.

"You crack me up."
CJ sat beside me at the bar, "I'm glad I amuse someone." I needed to
take a shower but I wanted to have a stiff drink first to calm my nerves. I
beckoned Buster over, "Bottle of Jack and two glasses." He scurried
away getting what I asked for but I saw CJ out of the corner of my eye shake
his head before holding up one finger. I forgot he wasn't drinking, it was
nearing his fight and he was abstaining from many things including alcohol.

"So what's your plan for the
rest of the day? I mean apart from washing dead dog off your skin." He
chuckled at his own words and took the bottle of water from Buster.
I shook my head in amusement, CJ had a way of pulling me out of a bad mood with
his humour. "I've nothing planned as such." I wanted to make an
appointment to see Sam again, it had been a while and I was missing her
surprisingly. I knew I was just another punter to her and she would've seen god
knows how many men between now and our last encounter but she had a way of
making me feel special, and I needed that at the moment.
"Well I've got another job booked for this evening if you're
interested?"
"Involving what?"
"The Brown boys are targeting some of our protected establishments,
demanding they pay them money to be left alone. Now I don't know if they're
fucking stupid for not asking if these businesses are linked to any security
firms or if they're looking to start a row with the Jones', either way we can't
let them get away with it."
"So what do you propose we do?"
"They go to Crown's bookmakers every Thursday, they've been demanding
thirty percent of their weekly takings."
I let out a low whistle, "No business can survive doing that."
"Exactly, we charge a flat rate and offer the businesses protection."
"So why has one of the businesses you protect been paying another firm
money?" I asked confused.
"Because the first week they pretended to be us, the second week they
increased the percentage from ten to thirty and they're going back there this
evening to collect."
"You haven't answered the question though, why?"
"The old man was scared and confused. He didn't want to question us
through fear of us upping our fee. It wasn't until Fallon visited the business
to do her monthly check that the old man broke down and told her
everything."
"Poor sod."
"So are you gonna help out?"
"Sure," I answered nodding my head.
How could anyone be so fucking
cruel?
"That's great. We go suited, have you got a suit?"
I nodded my head, "It's at my parent's house but yes I have one."
"Yeah, good luck with that. It may be easier to go and purchase a new
one."
I sniggered, "I'll make you right there."
"I'll be leaving at 7.00pm." I nodded my head as I took a swig of my
drink and let out a heavy sigh as I felt the burn in my chest.
"Right I can't stand your smell any longer." CJ rose from his chair.
"I'll see you back at the house later." I patted him on the arm as he
passed me before he left the building.
"I won't be needing anymore of that." I pushed the bottle of Jack and
my empty glass across the bar towards Buster. I saw his eyes dart behind me
indicating someone had caught his attention, and I turned to see who it was.

"What the fuck are you doing
here?" I asked standing from my chair.
Tia looked at my attire and slowly her expression became one of horror. "Have
I come at a bad time?"
"Any time you came would be a bad time coz I have nothing to say to
you."
"Please don't be like that, I've explained at least a hundred times why I
made the decision I did."
"And every time you explained the reason you left me it had reference to
how you were feeling. Not once did you consider how I was feeling." I threw
my glass across the clubhouse and it shattered against the wall. "You were
the love of my life, we were getting fucking married but as soon as this
happened you kicked me to the curb like I didn't mean a fucking thing to
you." I pointed to my prosthetic leg but she simply ignored my comment and
placed her hands on her hips. I shook my head, "When did you become so
cold hearted?"
"You know I have a plan, goals that I want to achieve and that doesn't fit
in with those plans. Yes I loved you Jay, I suppose I always will a little but
I left you to set you free. You can find a nice girl who will..." she
waved her arm around as if looking for the words. "Care for you, bathe
you, wipe your behind, whatever you need doing. I'm not that kind of girl Jay,
you know that."
I tried to control the rage that built inside me, how dare this bitch stand
here and insult me. I stepped forward and grabbed her around the neck pushing
her back until she was against the wall, "I've lost a limb, I'm not a
paraplegic you fucking whore."
She opened her mouth gasping for air and I squeezed harder feeling the hatred
for her mount inside me.

"Jay, let her go mate."
I could hear the voice faintly in the background but I was too consumed in what
I was doing to see who was talking to me. I squeezed harder and this time
noticed the colouring change on her face.
"Jay that's enough!" I glanced to my left to see Justice and Duke
watching the scene play out in front of them, I didn't know who'd asked me to
stop but I knew that I'd already taken it too far. I slowly let go and watched
as Tia coughed and spluttered trying to get oxygen into her lungs, and the
scene in the toilets at the pub played in my head.
What the fuck had
happened to me?
I wasn't a monster but I'd allowed these two cunts to rile
me.

"Have I missed the
party?" Paige had now entered the clubhouse and was making her way towards
us. "What's that cunt doing here?" she spat glaring at Tia.
I'd told Paige how Tia had broken our engagement off once she'd found out the
extent of my injuries and she was livid but I never thought they would ever meet
face to face. Justice placed his hand on Paige's arm stopping her from surging
forward and doing further damage to Tia, I think her first experience of the
clubhouse was enough.
Tia held her neck with both hands and rubbed it still wheezing as she tried to
control her breathing.
She looked around at the group, "You're a bunch of fucking Hillbillies,
every last one of you." She slowly pushed past me and I laughed at her
audacity, she was still running her mouth despite nearly being strangled.
"Oh and just so you know, I'm engaged." She held up her hand so I
could see the rock on her finger. "I needed a real man and Boyd happily
stepped up to the plate."
Crack! Tia fell back and skidded across the floor screaming in agony. Duke,
Justice and myself all turned in the direction of Paige in shock as she rubbed
her forehead.
"Where did you learn to head butt?" Justice chuckled.
"Amy taught me but she made it look so much easier. FUCK my head
hurts!" Paige stomped over to Tia who was rolling around the floor in
agony and grabbed her by the hair, "Let's see if Boyd likes you with a
body part missing, I think I'll start with your tits." Paige pulled her
along the floor by her hair and out into the yard.
"What?...Get off me...You can't do this!...Jay help me!" I couldn't
hear what else she was screaming as Paige pulled her further into the yard.
"Your sisters a little nuts, I take it she was only joking?" Justice
asked hesitantly.
I shrugged, "Who knows with Paige, she's like Jackal and Hyde these
days."
"I'll go and keep an eye, make sure she doesn't do anything stupid."
Duke folded his arms across his chest and strolled outside.
"So how do you feel about that?" I turned to Justice as he looked at
me sympathetically.
"About what? You mean that crazy bitch?" Justice nodded his head.
"Good riddance, I'm just pleased I saw her true colours before we got
married."
Justice nodded his head understanding what I'd just said, "As long as
you're okay. And Jayden..."
"Yeah?"
"Go and take a fucking shower boy you stink!" I sniggered as I turned
and headed in the direction of the bathroom, maybe it wasn't so bad here after
all.

"So what's the plan of action
CJ?" I asked sitting in the driver's seat outside the betting shop.
CJ looked up and down the street before returning his attention to me, "We
sit in there and pretend to be punters, and once they ask for the money we sort
them out."
"Okay, I'll take your lead on this."
"Let's go." CJ exited the car and fastened his jacket, I followed him
making sure that I locked the car in the process. It was Eli's car that I'd
borrowed for the evening and I didn't want anything to happen to it, as he was
one scary mother fucker.

We sat in front of the screens,
there were various greyhound races on tonight and we needed to look the part
and try to blend in although we were suited.
"You can have a flutter if you want Jay," CJ said as he grabbed a
ticket and pencil.
"I wouldn't have a fucking clue of where to start to be honest, I've only
ever bet on the Grand National."
"Well that's the next race, they're the runners, pick one." CJ held
the list in front of me so that I could read the names.
I glanced over them briefly and in trap number five, there was a dog named Sammy's
Home. I sniggered which earned me an unreadable expression form CJ. "I'm
putting some money on trap five," I stated pulling out a £10 note from my
wallet.
CJ looked at the form guide and frowned, "That's the least in form dog out
of the six on offer."
"I liked the name!"
"Did you also lose your dick in that accident? You're talking like a bird."
The bell chimed indicating that someone had entered the building. We both
turned to see two blokes stroll through the bookies and head towards the
counter. CJ took my ticket, proceeded towards them, and stood in line calmly
observing the situation.

"Is Arnold around?" the
bloke in the leather jacket asked placing his hands in his jean pockets and
swaying back and forth on his heels.
"He is, hold on one minute," the young woman scurried to the back
room to get the old man.
"This is gonna be like taking candy from a baby," the bloke in the
leather jacket said to his friend who sniggered at his comment.
Fucking pricks, this was Arnold's livelihood. He was an elderly man and his
daughter had been helping out as much as she could but this wasn't her thing.
I'd asked CJ for the back story on this place before we came, to gain an
understanding of the businesses they were protecting and services they were offering.