Chapter TWENTY-ONE
They were on the road again, she was on the back of his Harley clutching his waist for dear life as he sped off down the highway back to the warehouse. Britton’s mind was racing, her thoughts barely audible over the roaring of the motorcycle's engine. She was absolutely in love with this man, and yet her job was to arrest him and ensure that he never left the inside of a jail cell. How could she do that now? Everything he did was to protect her...even if he was a killer and a drug kingpin.
“Did everyone accept you as the leader after you…got rid of that guy?” She leaned in and screamed into his ear.
It was not what he wanted to talk about, but he wasn’t about to close up now. “Yes. The man before me was hateful, vindictive, and reckless. They were happy to see him go.”
“Is everyone scared of you?”
“No. I’ve changed a lot of things. Maybe what we do isn't exactly legal, but I would never put anyone in harm’s way.”
“So it’s mostly drugs?”
“Drugs, guns, escorts…”
“Like you’re a pimp?” She knew what an escort service was, but decided to play innocent.
“No I’m not a pimp! Who do you think I am? And escorts are not illegal, but it’s an added service we provide to our customers.”
“And since it’s legal, it’s easier to account for the money you’re making in other areas?”
“Essentially, yes.”
He just admitted to money laundering. It was surprisingly easy to get him to incriminate himself once she was on his good side. Now if only she knew what to do with that information.
“And everyone who works for you…”
“Most of us came from broken or abusive homes, and never really felt like we belonged anywhere. That’s why we say we’re a family. We don’t know any other.”
“Must be nice…” She always yearned for that.
“Britton, they’re your family now too.”
She smiled at him, wanting nothing more than for that to be true. But what would happen when the Feds closed in? They would all feel betrayed. Especially Jagger. Especially Dominic. How could she continue with this operation? Better yet, how could she get out of this operation?
They pulled up to the warehouse and Dom was standing outside, waving. He had his arm around a pretty blonde girl and was holding a small boy.
“Hey guys!”
“Hey Dom, hey Cindy.” Jagger dropped his kickstand and killed the engine. He helped Britton off the bike before he ran over and snatched the child out of Dominic’s arms. “And hello Matty!” He threw him up in the air and he screamed with laughter.
“Hello Uncle Jagger.” Matty squeaked.
Britton watched the interactions, but had no idea what to make of them. She stepped in to hug Dominic.
“Hey Brit, I’d like to introduce you to my wife, Cindy, and our crazy two year old, Mateo…Matty for short.”
Britton couldn’t hide her shock. “Hi. It’s so nice to meet you.” She extended her hand to Cindy, but Cindy instead pulled her into a hug.
“I’ve heard so much about you, Britton. It’s so great to have you as part of the family.”
She looked to Dom. “Why didn’t…”
“You seemed to have a lot to take in yesterday. I didn’t want to give you more to process.”
Jagger was running around with Matty, pretending he was an airplane. They were both laughing.
“He’s really good with him.” Dom pointed out.
“I see that.”
“Hey Jagger!” Dom called after him. “The barbeque is out back.”
“I’ll be right there!”
Cindy, Dominic, and Britton strolled behind the warehouse and were greeted by all of the familiar faces from the day before. Everyone hugged Britton, proclaiming how happy he or she was that she was joining the party today.
Britton looked around, taking in the spectacle. There were games and laughter, and so much food. She suddenly felt her feet lift off the ground and she was cradled in Jagger’s arms.
“I’m sorry, did you want to be Superman too?”
“I thought you’d never ask.” She joked.
Jagger laughed and began running around the yard with her still in his arms. He made a round and passed her off to Dom, who continued the journey. Before she knew it, she was tossed from Dom off to a few new friends who she barely knew, but it didn’t matter. Everyone was laughing. Finally she made her way back into Jagger’s arms. She had to catch her breath from laughing so hard. Jagger set her down on her feet and hugged her to him.
“I couldn’t be happier.” He whispered in her ear.
“Me either.” She smiled up at him.
He leaned into her and kissed her. They didn’t care that everyone was watching; their lips needed to meet in that moment. He closed his arms around her and drew her in closer.
“Guys, there are children here.” Dominic teased.
They broke their kiss and started giggling. They didn’t have a care in the world; nothing was bigger than the two of them in that moment.
Everyone sat down at tables and began to eat. Britton caught up with Dominic, asking how him and Cindy met, when they were married, and if they were planning on having any more kids. She couldn’t believe she had a nephew. She watched him stroll around the yard, picking dandelions and throwing them into the wind.
“He’s adorable.”
“He’s a great kid. We’re so lucky.”
“And you don’t worry about what will happen to him if something goes sour here?”
“Of course I do, but Brit, he can have a good life because of the money I make and the time Jagger allows me to spend with him, and that’s the only thing that matters to me.”
“What about Cindy.”
“Cindy doesn’t need to work. I don’t want her to.”
“And she knows about everything you do?”
“This is where we met; she understands this business. And she’s the reason I don’t do more than I already do. But she saw who I was when Jagger brought me in, and who I am now. She knows this place is good for me.”
“Okay.”
“That’s all you’re going to say to that?”
“What more is there? It’s your life. As long as you and your wife are happy, my opinion is obsolete.”
“Thanks sis.”
“You are happy, right?”
“Very.”
“Good.”
One of the other men sped to Jagger’s side and whispered in his ear. Jagger sat up straight, his eyes wide.
“Thank you, I’ll take care of it.” He looked to Dominic. “Get everyone into hiding. We have an intruder.”
Britton caught his worried eyes and reached up for him.
“Britton, please stay with Dom. I’ll take care of this.”
“But, I can help you.”
“No!” His voice boomed. He was serious about this. He didn’t want her anywhere near this possible danger. “Dom, take her.”
Jagger disappeared into the building. Dom quietly rounded everyone up and directed them all into a covered stairwell that went under the building. Britton saw him hug Cindy and promise that everything was okay. He found the light, and the safe room came to life. It was spectacular for being a basement hideout. There were couches and chairs, a dining area, and a kitchen. Everyone chose a seat and sat in silence.
Dom addressed the crowd. “Okay guys, we don’t know exactly what is going on, but Jagger is taking care of it. The walls are thick, so you can talk. This is still a party, so have fun.”
Mumbling spread across the room. It was obviously the first time something like this had happened. Who could it be? How did they find them? What were they looking for?
While Britton wanted to know the answer to these questions too, her main concern was Jagger. He was upstairs, alone. No one was protecting him. Was it another Vegas Motorcycle Club? Was it the police? Was it the FBI? Did Hank rat them out?
Cindy saw the concern on Britton’s face, sat down next to her, and hugged her.
“Jagger is just fine. He’s really good at taking care of himself. And everyone else, for that matter.”
“I know, I just hate that he’s up here by himself.”
“Yes, but he wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“Why?”
“Because he could never live with himself if something happened to one of us.”
One by one, people wandered over to Britton to promise her that everything was going to be okay. They told her of Jagger’s heroic stories: how he had saved two of them from a rival gang’s torture with only a pocketknife, how he'd landed on a parked car after jumping out of a building, but then sent that person a brand new car, and how he never stopped speaking of the amazing beauty that he had fallen in love with when he was only seven years old. They were so delighted that she had finally come back to him. They said that while he was a generally happy person, something was always missing from Jagger’s smile. Since Britton walked back into his life, he had finally seemed whole.
Britton loved hearing all of their stories. She loved being surrounded by so many wonderful people. She understood why Jagger called this ‘his family,’ and she felt so honored to be invited into it.
She was lost in her thoughts when she felt a tug at her knee. Britton looked down into the sweet angelic face of her nephew. He had Dominic’s tanned skin and bouncing curls, but Cindy’s striking blue eyes. His pursed lips upturned into a smile and he stretched his arms to her. Britton beamed back and lifted Matty onto her lap. He nestled his head into her chest and stuck his thumb in his mouth, suckling ever so quietly. She lowered her lips to his head and softly kissed his curls.
She felt an aching in her heart that she had never experienced. She'd never wanted children of her own. She resented her childhood enough to refuse to bring another life into this world. Yet, holding her nephew, a small being that shared her blood, felt inspiring. He was happy, and Dominic would make sure that he would never experience the childhood that they did. His kid would want for nothing, especially love. Couldn’t she do the same? Could her and Jagger provide that life for a child of their own?
The door to the safe room swung open, and Jagger walked down the stairs. Everyone ran up to him, asking what had happened. He locked eyes with Britton.
“Everything is okay. Go back to the party. I have a few things to take care of, but none of it means that you all can’t have fun.”
He walked into the crowd and took Dominic by the shoulder. “Keep everyone outside.”
He extended his hand toward Britton, and she rose up to her feet, still clutching Matty. His lips were tight together, not allowing a smile to escape. “Come with me.”
She handed her now sleeping nephew to Dominic and followed Jagger up the stairs, around the corner, and into the warehouse.
“What's going on?” Britton begged, but Jagger said nothing, only continued walking forward.
He pulled open the wide door, revealing a single chair in the middle of a dark room. There was a man tied to it, a gag in his mouth. Jagger led Britton closer and turned on the lights.
“How did he get here?” Jagger asked.
The man lifted his head, his eyes pleading with Britton.
It was David.