Jayden (Aces MC Series Book 4.5) (7 page)

I walked towards the noise and
stood at the opened door, "Richmond are you in here." I asked moving
closer to the doorway.
"Yeah come in." I crept into the bedroom to see an array of assault
rifles on his bed. He sat on the edge of the mattress cleaning a weapon lovingly
with a cloth. "Do you shoot?"
"No," I said firmly. I had no desire to handle a firearm.
"Well you should, they're good for protection." He pointed the gun
towards me and moved it side to side in quick succession between me and a chair
by the window.
"When was the last time you called home?"
My eyes watered thinking about my family. I had a mother and father who loved
me very much and a sister who I adored. We were so close and did everything
together, that my disappearance must have been devastating for them initially.
After three weeks of being in captivity, I was allowed to call home but I was
instructed to tell my family that I'd gone travelling. I made up a story of
being bored with my life and wanted a more exciting one, and that's why I'd
decided to leave. I didn't like long drawn out goodbyes so I left quickly
without telling anyone so I couldn't be persuaded to stay. I'd thought about
them every single day but with the arrival of Lisa and Becky, it made me think
about Jasmine more. She was my world, and was the reason I'd not tried to
escape over the years. Spyder had shown me photo's of Jasmine, showing me her
daily routine. He informed me that if I were to escape or go to the police,
that she'd be trafficked or murdered. My sister's fate was in my own hands and
I didn't need to make a decision because I'd automatically do anything within
my power to make sure she was safe.

"I haven't spoken to them for
about six weeks."
Richmond stood from the bed and made his way over to the small coffee table
that sat in between two chairs. He picked up the phone that was on the table
and punched a couple of numbers before handing the phone to me, "Dial
their number and speak to them. You have five minutes and if there's any funny
business, I won't hesitate to shoot you in the head." He lifted the
handgun and placed it on the table between us.
I dialled the number that was etched in my memory and listened to it ring
hoping that someone was in to answer. On the third ring it did.

"Hello."
It was Jasmine, my eyes watered and I moved my hand to cup my mouth.
"Hello is anyone there?"
That was Jasmine alright, stroppy as ever. "Jazz it's me, Sam." The
line went quiet and at first I thought she'd hung up.
"Sam is that really you?"
"The one and only."
"How have you been? It's been so long since you contacted us, Mum and Dad
were going out of their minds with worry."
"I'm so sorry Jazz but they needn't worry, everything is fine." I
glanced at Richmond as he held up four fingers indicating how long I had left.
"Look Jazz I haven't got long as it costs a fortune to call home, so I
need to know if everything's okay and I want a brief summary of what you've
been up to."
"Oh okay," she said hesitantly. "Mum and Dad are fine, they've
just come back from a two week holiday in Nice so they're lovely and
brown." I smiled at the thought, they took two holidays a year and never
went any further than Europe.
"And you Jazz? How are you?"
"I'm good I suppose. I've got a part time job at Starbucks, I'm still in
college but I miss you so much Sam. When are you coming home?"
"I don't know Jazz, there's still so much of the world I want to see and
so many things I want to do that I just don't know."
Richmond held up three fingers.
"Can I come and see you? I've been saving my wages and I've built up quite
a lot of money and I'm sure mum and dad will give me some so that I can come
and visit you if I'm short. I won't be any trouble I promise."
I blinked and the tears streamed down my cheeks, it hurt me so much knowing
that would never be possible.
"Are you still there Sam?"
"Yeah babe I'm still here,"
"Don't you want to see me?"
"I want to see you more than you know but things are a little
difficult." I rubbed my forehead slowly in frustration.
"Difficult how?"
"It doesn't matter."
"Yes it does. What's the problem, is it financial? If it is you only need
to ask and mum and dad can help you." She stated flippantly.
"No it's not that."
"So you just don't want me to visit then."
"That's not the case and you know it. Look I don't want to fall out with
you Jazz." This conversation wasn't going how I wanted it too because Jazz
thought I'd left her and didn't care.
Richmond held up two fingers.
"I haven't got long, I just want to make sure you're okay."
"And if I wasn't you'd come home?" she asked hopeful.
I sniggered, "Nice try!"
Jazz giggled and it was a lovely sound to hear, "Sorry, I don't want to
give you a hard time but you broke my heart when you left."
"I know babe and I'll make it up to you one day I promise. How's Steve
doing?"
"We had to take him to the vets last week because he hurt his leg but
apart from that he's fine."
"Good, I'm pleased he's in your capable hands."
"He is indeed."
"And how's college?" It was important for her to keep her studies up.
"Going well, oh I forget to tell you that I've been accepted into
Southampton University."
Richmond held up one finger.
"That's brilliant news babe, I bet you're really excited."
"Oh I am, it was my first choice and Adam is going to Brighton so he isn't
too far away."
"I'm pleased for you, it's all working out so well."
"It would be better if you were here."
"I know and I'm going to make a big effort to come back this year I
promise." I crossed my fingers, I hated to promise stuff I knew would
never happen.
"Pinkie promise?"
"Pinkie promise. Right Jazz I've gotta go, I'll call you in a couple of
weeks."
"Okay, just tell me that everything's okay?"
"Everything's fine Jazz, stop worrying. Love you."
"Love you too."
I hung up and handed the phone back to Richmond. The tears were still streaming
down my face and I removed a tissue from the box beside me and dabbed my cheeks
rather than rubbing it as it would aggravate the bruising.

"Are you close to your
sister?"
I glanced in his direction, "I was, we were best friends but that was
taken away from me the day that I was taken."
Richmond rolled his eyes as if he'd heard it all before, "You can go back
to your room now. Dad won't be home tonight, something about a wild party so
he'll see you tomorrow."
"Well that's something to look forward to!" I smiled sarcastically
before I stood to walk from the room.
"Careful, that mouth's probably the reason your face looks the way it
does." He said coldly.
"No, my mouth is what's going to not let it happen again." I gave him
a wink and briskly walked from the room, I didn't want to get into a
conversation with him. I wanted to lie on my bed and think about my family, I
knew I'd missed them but talking to Jazz only highlighted the fact further.

I pushed the door open to my room and
quickly closed it behind me, I was hoping that this could be my space without
an intruders. Spyder would probably still want me to see clients but I was
hoping we could have the same arrangements and I wouldn't have to bring anyone
back to this space. Not that I planned on staying, the assault last night only
heightened my hatred for the group and I'd decided that I was going to do
everything within my power to bring them down.

CJ

"So what kind of security do they run?"
"The doors of local pubs and clubs, protection, empty warehouses and
properties, allsorts really." I'd brought Jayden along so my family could meet
him. I'd vouched for Jayden anyway but they just wanted to put a face to a name
before he was involved in any family business.
"Why are they asking you for help?"
"I'm family, and although I don't work for them I put up a lot of money to
get the business going so I'm an equal partner, we all own twenty
percent."
"So they try and deal with things themselves rather than taking an
outsider on?"
"It's the gypsy in us, we like to look after our own."
"So why are you asking me to help out?" Jay asked drawing his brows
together confused.
"They needed another person, so I suggested you and because your ex-army
and a club member's son, you have a lot going for you."
"You didn't mention how handsome I was?" he asked sniggering.
"Funny! No I didn't mention that to my brothers, they'd think I was gay!"
"Or that I look good in a suit?"
"Are you sure you're not gay? You'll be telling me you like shopping and
Eurovision in a minute!"
 "Haha!" he said dryly.

We pulled up outside the smart looking office block in a
reserved space for 'Jones' Security'. I noticed Jayden look around at the cars
and trucks parked outside the building, "They must be doing alright for
themselves."
"It's not a bad money maker, it's like anything though you've gotta put in
the hours and hard graft in order for it to become successful." I exited
the car and walked to the main entrance to be greeted by Shelly. Seeing her was
the highlight of my time here and I made a mental note to visit the family more
often.
"Hi CJ," Shelly twirled a tendril as she leaned on the counter
pushing her ample breasts up higher so they could be seen even move in her low
cut top.
"Hello gorgeous, how are things babe." I leaned on the other side of
the counter where I got a perfect view.
"All the better for seeing you," I gave her a wink and she giggled
uncontrollably.

"When you've stopped flirting with my staff, would you
like to come in?" I turned to see Rian with a smug expression on his face.
"Hi mate, how you doing." I strolled over to Rian and gave him a hug.
It had been a while since I'd seen my family as I'd been busy training but the
fight was nearly upon me and I'd decided I was going to make more time for
them. I broke from his hold, "This is Jayden." I stated pointing
towards him.
Rian extended his arm, "Nice to meet you Jayden, I've heard a lot about
you."
Jayden shook his hand, "All good things I hope?"
Rian pulled a sheepish expression before sniggering, "Of course, that's
why we've invited you here. Come on they're all waiting and we've got
information about Spyder." Jayden pulled back his shoulders and stood
tall, he was obviously dying to find out who this bloke was.

We followed Rian into the offices and he led us to the room
we used for meetings. "Do you want a tea or coffee Jayden?"
"Yeah I'd love a coffee," Jayden said pulling out a chair to take a
seat. We'd been sparring this morning so I knew his leg must be aching, I was
just surprised how well he coped with it. Rian made Jay a coffee and placed it
on the table in front of him before walking toward the door.
"And where's mine?" I asked affronted.
"Fuck off, you know where the stuff's kept." Rian responded as he left
the room
"Arsehole," I muttered under my breath as I walked over to the coffee
machine to make my own hot drink. I could hear Jay snigger to himself as the
rest of the group walked through the door.
"Can I have a coffee babe?" Fallon asked.
"Yeah I wouldn't mind one either." Eli stated as he sat at the table.
"This is fucking great, I'm a visitor and I'm asked to make the
drinks." The group chuckled at my expense.
"Stop your bitching, you should be pleased to see us." Finn sat at
the table, "And you'll be pleased to know that I've already got a
drink." He lifted his mug indicating that he didn't need one.
"Like a hole in the head," I mumbled to another bout of giggles from
the group.

Eli pulled out a file and spread information over the table.
I placed the hot drinks strategically so they couldn't be spilt and sat next to
Jayden. "Is this the man you wanted information on?" he asked Jay
showing him a photo of a large, heavily tattooed black man.
He nodded his head, "Yeah, that's the bloke."
"Well my friend this is Levi Taylor, forty-two years old and originally
from Hackney. He has a list of crimes to his name as long as your arm for
shoplifting, possession, intent to supply, ABH, GBH and driving while under the
influence to name but a few. He's been in and out of prison most of his life,
likes to mistreat women but he has been a good boy for the past five
years."
I let out a low whistle, "That's some record."
"It certainly is. I spoke to a friend of mine who is a copper and he said Levi
is a nasty piece of work." Finn rested his chin on his steepled fingers,
"So if your girlfriend is somehow involved with him she needs to stay away
because he's bad news."
I heard Jayden let out a heavy sigh, and turned towards him. "You okay
mate?"
He nodded his head, "Yeah it's just fucking difficult."
"How?" I asked confused by what he was saying.
"Is there anything on his record regarding trafficking, prostitution or
soliciting?" Jay asked the group.
Both Eli and Finn picked up the paperwork to flick through. Eli shook his head,
"Not that I can see but that may just mean he hasn't been caught for
it."
"So does that help or do you need the boys to run further checks?"
Fallon asked Jayden across the table.
"No that's great thank you, I appreciate your help. Now what can I do for
you?"
I knew my brothers would appreciate Jayden's straight talking, and they smirked
at his direct approach.
"We just have a few issues with some people who need to learn some respect,
we need bodies to help put the frighteners on them, safety in numbers and all
that so we'd like you and CJ to come and help us out on a couple of jobs."
Jayden nodded his head. I'd already spoken to him briefly about what was
involved and he was happy to help out.
"So really we just wanted to put a name to a face this afternoon,"
Fallon said sucking on the end of her pen. I'd be having a word with her later
about the way she was behaving, she'd obviously taken a shine to Jay.
"That's fine I appreciate that, CJ's already explained what you do and I
know that you don't usually let outsiders get involved but discretion is my
middle name." I could see the approving nods around the table and knew
that Jayden would fit in well.

I stood and threw the keys to Jay, "You can go and wait
in the car, I'll be out in a minute."
He caught them and stood, "Nice meeting you all." He walked towards
the door with the rest of the group saying their goodbyes.
I waited for him to leave and glanced around the table, "What aren't you
telling him?"
Eli sniggered, "You know us too well." I raised my brows trying to
hurry him along, and Eli let out a loud sigh. "He was arrested for
trafficking a couple of years ago but they only had circumstantial evidence in
the end and had to drop the case because the main witness disappeared and the
rest of the women wouldn't talk."
I stood and walked over to the window and watched Jayden talk to a man outside
by the car. "Fucking hell this is bad."
"Yeah, and if Jay's asking questions about trafficking, prostitution or
soliciting, that means he already has his suspicions because I didn't mention
any of that." Eli stood and walked across the room to stand next to me.
"His new love interest is a prostitute." I stated as I observed the
discussion between Jayden and the man getting a little heated. Finn, Fallon and
Rian had now joined us at the window to see the bloke shove Jay in the chest.
"Well I'd say she's most certainly being trafficked. I'm giving you this
information CJ so you can do some more digging. I know you'll make decisions
with your head, rather than your heart like Jayden." Eli nodded towards
the office window, we watched as Jayden smashed the bloke in the face, knocking
him out cold. Unaware that we'd seen him, Jayden casually straightened his suit
jacket before getting into the car waiting for me to return.
We all glanced at each other before looking back through the window as the man
picked himself up off the ground with a blooded nose, and scarpered in the
opposite direction.
"I think Jayden will fit in just fine." Finn sniggered to the roar of
laughter from the rest of the group.
"Yeah, I think he will."