Hidden Secrets (Satan's Prophets MC) (26 page)

Mick looked relieved at the thought of getting out of there. “Sure, why not? I got nothin’ else to do.” They fired up their bikes and took off.

Jasmine slept through the night and woke up to the smell of coffee brewing in the small kitchen. She walked in and sat down at the table. JD brought her over a cup and poured some coffee in it.

“How ya doin, babe?” JD asked, as he sat down across from her. “I have more pills if you need one.”

“No, I really don’t like taking stuff like that. It only clouds my mind and I need to think straight and figure all this out. I know Nick wasn’t the best provider as a step-dad, but he really did love me and my mom. It just hurts so much.” Jasmine slumped back into her seat. “Why did he get mixed up in drugs? I’ll never understand why.”

“Money. People do stupid things for money all the time.” JD didn’t know what to say to console her. He wanted to get her out of the motel and take her mind off all of it so he offered, “You really want to learn how to shoot a gun?”

“Yes, I don’t like feeling so helpless. If anyone manages to find me, I need to be able to protect myself.” Jasmine had a determined look on her face when she stood up and waited for JD.

“They’ll have to go through me to get to you, Jasmine and I’m not letting anyone get by me. I’ve got my club working on it and we’ve got plenty of backup if we need it. Try not to worry so much.”

Jasmine couldn’t help worrying and being afraid. She didn’t want JD killed protecting her. She put on a brave face and attempted a smile.

“Let’s go, babe. We’ll practice out behind the clubhouse where there’s plenty of open space and no one in town will hear the shots.”

Jasmine wasn’t too good at shooting his gun and JD was getting discouraged. Every time she would fire the gun, she would jump back a step.

“That’s okay, babe. I think you need a smaller caliber gun. We’ll keep practicing every day, you’ll get the hang of it.” JD wasn’t sure she ever would. She was too afraid of handling the gun, but he wanted her to keep trying. At least it would give her a feeling of self-preservation. And when she turned, holding the gun pointed at his belly, JD had enough for the day. “Enough for today, Jasmine. Let’s go inside.” Together they walked inside the clubhouse.

When she saw Mick slumped over in a chair with his hair all messed up and his face unshaven, she realized he must have been there all night. And she also realized why. She felt very ashamed of herself. She knew he only did what he thought was best for her and she loved him for it. Calmly, she walked over to where he was sitting and sat down.

“Mick, I’m sorry. I know you did it to shield me from the bitter truth. I don’t blame you for anything. It is all on Nick’s head, all of it.”

Mick looked at her through bloodshot eyes. “It’s okay Jaz, I screwed up. I should’ve told you.”

“Shh…” she put her fingers over his lips, “it wouldn’t have made a difference. I love you, Mick—and I’m sorry for taking my anger out on you.”

“I love you too, Jaz. I’m going to stay here and see this through. No one’s gonna hurt you, ever.”

Jaz got up, kissed Mick on his cheek and walked back over to where JD sat watching. He didn’t like seeing Jasmine kiss Mick, but he reigned in his temper. JD needed to control his jealousy and decided he was going to try.

Roach and Striker were talking by the bar. They motioned JD to join them. “I need to have a few words with Striker, you okay here, by yourself?”

“Sure, I see Drifter heading this way. Go.”

“How’s the shooting coming along, darlin?” Drifter asked, as he approached Jaz.

“It’s coming along slowly, but truthfully, I don’t think I’m cut out for it. Maybe I’ll have to think of some other way to protect myself, like fighting or something.”

Drifter was trying hard not to grin. “Maybe fighting is more your thing. Seems to me you did okay when you clocked JD in the face that night. I’d say ya got a mean right hook on ya,” he joked.

Jaz burst out giggling, “Yeah, when I’m drunk I can be a mean bitch.”

“How’s Lori doin? She okay?” Drifter tried to sound nonchalant with his questions.

“She’s okay, I guess. Why not come over some time and see for yourself?” Jaz wondered what the hell was going on with these two. Drifter really seemed to dig Lori and she knew Lori liked him a lot, but someone or something had a wall up between them. She hoped in time they could work it out.

“Heard Mick made a kill out there on the road. Roach and I were talking and we think he’d be a good asset to the club. He knows how to handle himself and he’s already working for us at The Den. What do ya think?”

Striker didn’t know what to expect JD’s answer to be and was surprised when he replied, “Good idea. He didn’t hesitate to kill that fucker before he could fire off a shot at me and my old lady. I owe him for that. But maybe he won’t be interested. Jasmine thinks he doesn’t have any plans to stay, once things are settled here.”

“Only one way to find out, just wanted to run it by you first.” Striker walked over to Mick and sat down.

“You don’t have to ask me to leave. I’m going soon,” Mick informed Striker.

“If I wanted you out of here, you’d be gone, long before now,” Striker reassured him, “In fact, just the opposite. How would you feel about becoming a member of our club?”

Mick was speechless. He’d never even considered joining the club, but now that Striker was asking, he kinda liked the idea. He had nowhere he had to be, no home or family left to care for—except Jaz.
Maybe it’s not such a bad idea,
he thought.

“You won’t even have to prospect. You killed a guy to protect a club member, that gets you right in, that is if you want it.” Striker studied Mick’s face and saw his indecision. He pushed harder. “You’ll have a place to live here at the club if you need it, and you’ll be close to that girl over there that you care so much about.” Striker knew he had Mick hooked when he mentioned the girl.

“Sounds good to me,” Mick stated. “But I’ll continue living at the motel so no problem there. What would my place be in the club? I need a job, gotta make some money.”

“Your job would be the same as you’re already doing, tending bar at The Den, but I want you to manage it, too. Think you can handle that?”

“That sounds great to me. I can handle it. You can trust me,” Mick promised.

Striker stood and looked down at Mick. “We don’t need to vote on it, just gotta get your patches and shit. Get yourself a denim jacket and cut the sleeves off and we’ll patch you in.” Striker fist bumped Mick and told him to get back to work at the bar, the next night. Mick nodded his answer.

Mick got up and went over to join Jaz at the bar. “Well, looks like I’ll be staying here, I just got accepted into the club.”

Jaz was so happy! She jumped up and down and hugged Mick, both of them ignoring JD’s sulky scowl.

Mick was still in an upbeat mood when he walked out of the clubhouse. He decided to take a ride over to the store where Renee worked. He wanted to check up on her and see how she was doing, after what went down the day before. Mick wished he had never got her involved in that mess but on the other hand, he was glad he was there to help JD and Jaz. Renee was definitely a timid, little thing and he was worried about her. He didn’t know where he was going with this attraction between them, but he’d like to see her again. Maybe he’d ask her out on a real date and take her someplace nice to eat. Plus, there was a movie theatre in town. Maybe they could grab a show.

When Mick walked into the store, he saw Susanna waiting on a customer. He walked around looking at some clothes to kill some time. Susanna came right over as soon as the customer left.

“Hi, Mick. How are you doing?” Susanna was so cheerful that Mick had to smile back at her. “Are you here shopping or to see someone?” she asked with a knowing grin.

“I’m doing okay and yes, I’m here to see Renee. Where is she?”

“She should be here soon. In fact, she’s a little late.” Susanna’s expression shifted from happy to uncomfortable. “Renee didn’t get much sleep last night and had nightmares. When she finally did fall asleep, I had to keep watch over her and wake her up every time she would cry out. I don’t know all the details of what happened yesterday, but whatever it was, it did a job on her. I love Renee. She is one of the sweetest girls I’ve ever known. You know, she took me in. I was accepted by her and her dad when they knew so little about me. I feel as though we are true sisters and I want what’s best for her. And frankly, I don’t think she fits into your world,” Susanna sighed. “But she is a grown woman and has her own mind. Just be careful with her. She’s fragile. Renee grew up surrounded by love and good things. She didn’t have the tough life that I had and she knows little of men and their baser needs.”

“Yeah—I get that, Susanna. I don’t know where it’s going between us, but I would like to see her again. I’d never hurt her intentionally.” He thought to himself, Renee knows of men’s baser needs, hell, he’d taught her himself.