“She a stripper?”
“I don’t think so.”
“She have a gun?”
“Blaine…”
“Oh, fuck,” Blaine said. “Does she have two different color eyes? I told that one that it wouldn’t hurt when I used three fingers in…”
“Just go the fuck inside,” Trev said. “She seems terrified and keeps asking for you.”
Blaine rushed to the door and ripped it open.
Who the fuck would be here for me?
When Blaine saw the figure turn around on a barstool, his jaw hit the floor. It wasn’t just a blast from the past, it was a blast right back to the most tragic moment of Blaine’s life.
six.
Of course he has blood on him.
That was the first thing that went through Jessa’s mind when she saw Blaine standing in the doorway. Bad enough she had been escorted into the MC clubhouse by some really big, tough looking guy who insisted she sit down and keep her mouth shut. Sadly, she felt safer in the clubhouse than she did outside with Vin running around.
Part of Jessa had always wondered what Blaine would end up like. Hell, she didn’t think he’d make it a year alive, but here he was, alive and well. Standing tall with wide and curved shoulders, his muscles pulling at the sleeves of his t-shirt. He was rough looking, worse than before, but his eyes were the same intensity.
Blaine had always been captivating. But he had been taken. He had played the role of a loyal man, a stepfather, and did all he could to be the best cop possible. That put him in hot water all the time and when the hot water finally boiled, it didn’t burn Blaine’s skin, it burned right at his heart.
Jessa stood up.
Blaine put a hand out. “Tell me I’m fucking seeing things.”
“You’re not,” Jessa said. “I’m here.”
Blaine turned his head for a second and took a breath. Behind him two men appeared.
“Everything okay?” one asked.
“Yeah, brother,” Blaine said. “Just a little trip down memory lane.”
“Her? She looks too normal for you.”
“Fuck off, Gaige,” Blaine said. Blaine took a step at Jessa. “Sit back down.”
Jessa said. “I have to talk to you. I tried calling that number…”
“Jesus Christ, you still have that?”
“Yes. Just in case.” Jessa reached for the bar and put a hand to her bag.
“What the hell is going on?” Blaine asked.
“We need to talk.”
“Try me. Because my mind is spinning right now looking at you. I never thought I would see you again.”
“You say that like it’s bad.”
“Because the last time we saw each other was on such a fucking high note,” Blaine said. “You realize where you are right now? You’re in my home. This is my home now. Anything you know about me, forget it. Anything you think you might know now, you’re wrong.”
“So you traded in your badge for a motorcycle?”
“My life was taken from me,” Blaine said. “You fucking know that, Jessa.”
When he said her name, Jessa shuddered. She felt a heat rush to her cheeks. This wasn’t the same Blaine as before. This guy now was hardened, evil, and obviously capable of violence. The blood on his face and shirt proved that.
“What do you want?” Blaine asked. “A place to stay? You couldn’t handle it here. There’s rules. You stay… and I’m going to fuck you six ways from Sunday.”
Jessa gasped. “I came to tell you that he’s out.”
“Who?”
“Vin.”
Blaine’s face dropped. Anger and guilt flashed across his face like lightening on a dark night. His left hand grabbed for Jessa’s arm. His strength was wildly intense. One small pull and Jessa was inches from him. She could smell him. Man, sweat, blood, women. Whatever it was, it was raw.
Blaine’s right hand shot out and he grabbed someone by the shirt behind the bar.
“Remember what happened before, kid?” Blaine asked.
“Yes, sir.”
“Give me the fucking bottle.”
The guy gave Blaine a bottle of whiskey.
“You know for sure?” Blaine asked Jessa.
“He came to see me,” Jessa said. “I know for sure.”
“Fuck. Fuck… fuck…”
“Blaine, you okay?” Gaige asked.
Blaine let Jessa go and spun around. He grabbed Gaige. “I’m not available right now. I have personal business, brother. You can proxy my vote on anything. I vote yes to whatever comes up. I say we attack and destroy them all. Okay? Anything.”
“Are you sure you’re good?” Gaige asked. “Who is this…”
Blaine turned and grabbed at Jessa’s hand. He squeezed it and then grabbed her bag. “Come on.”
They went around the corner of the bar and down a hallway. With each step with Blaine, Jessa felt safer. It was crazy to be walking next to him again. After everything they’d gone through together. Strange as it was, there had been a piece of Jessa that never understood why they didn’t stay in touch after everything happened. They were the ones closest to it. They could have helped each other.
“Blaine…”
“No talking,” Blaine said.
He stared straight ahead, his lips moving.