Текст книги "Desertion"

Автор книги: River Savage

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Three Jesse

I watch as she retreats to the bathroom. Her head down, hiding her embarrassed face from everyone. I didn’t think I would get to her in just a few words, but judging by her reaction, I got to her good. I know she’s not like the women I’m normally attracted to, but her reserved personality and her good-girl innocence are what fucking gets to me. Like she has no idea how goddamn sexy she is or that every man in this club has their eyes on her ass, while picturing their dicks sliding between her large tits. I’m not gonna lie. I’ve pictured it. Even her long dark hair, which is pulled back from her face in some boring-ass style, does nothing to put me off, because on her, it’s fucking sexy. Sweet, innocent Bell is fucking sexy, and for reasons I can’t even explain, I need a fucking taste. But going by the blush she wears whenever I smirk at her, she would never be able to handle me and my one-time deal. I’d eat her alive.

“I should go check on her.” One of her friends stands, breaking my stare and the silence.

“Leave her a few minutes,” the cute redhead to my left says. “So you’re the Jesse who asked her to marry you?” She turns her attention back to me.

“She declined.” I offer, remembering the last time I saw Bell. It was the night I needed stitches after my birthday party. I hadn’t planned on getting glassed by some fucked-up ex-husband of one of the women the Rebels had helped get out of town, but having Bell as my nurse made it a whole lot better. Especially when my parents insisted they drop by. I remember her putting up with my shit, then when my father arrived, she even put him in his place and held her ground when he demanded a doctor instead of a nurse. Asshole.

“She’s shy,” the small blonde to my right adds, helping me put the pieces together.

“I can tell.” I look back over to the entryway of the bathroom, waiting for her to come back out. I know I said I wouldn’t chase, and it’s true. I’m not fucking whipped like Nix, my Prez, or any of my other brothers who have settled down in the last year, but fuck, having Bell in Liquid, out of her nurse get-up, and wearing some sexy tight jeans which show just how tight her ass is, has me wanting just one fucking taste. What the fuck is wrong with me? This is the last thing I need right now.

I’ve already picked up a fuck tonight. I remind myself and look over at the blonde I left at the bar to come and play with Nurse Bell. She waves, and I know I shouldn’t leave her hanging.

“Well, ladies, have a good night.” I force myself to retreat, and move away from her friends. I’ve made my play and my prediction was right. As much as I’d love to sink myself balls deep into Nurse Bell, innocent women like her are too much work.

“You think she’s playing hard to get. She really isn’t,” the last one of her friends speaks up, which surprises me since she hasn’t uttered one word since I walked over to their table. I stop and turn to take in what she is saying. “The fact she even talked to you shocks us, so don’t give up.” She smiles and the thought of having to work harder doesn’t excite me, but it plants a seed. Maybe I could do with a challenge? Something that keeps me occupied more than the fucks I seem to be finding lately. I don’t know what it is about her, but something pulls me to her, and each time I see her, it gets stronger.

“Okay, thanks.” I nod, taking their advice and moving away. Looking at the bathroom door one more time, I force myself to let go of the idea. She’s not what I need, and I’m nowhere near what she needs. We’re better off without each other. I lock eyes back with the blonde waiting patiently for me and give her a wink. Her face explodes into a smile, one that reminds my cock how much fun he was in for, and winks back. Now this is what I need. I know I’m going to enjoy this one tonight.

“Hey, Jesse, the VIP room has a problem with one of the credit cards someone gave us,” Tammy, Liquid’s manager, shouts out over the music before I make it back to the blonde.

“Yep.” I nod, taking the card and the bill up the stairs to sort it out.

Never intended for parties, the VIP room has evolved over the last year. I’m not complaining; this joint does well, really well. But it takes up a lot of my time. Not that I have anything better to do. Between Liquid and the Rebels, all that’s left is fucking bitches to get me through the loneliness.

Taking the stairs two at a time, I ignore the pain in my ankle, which comes about every time I climb these damn stairs, and prepare to deal with the asshole who handed us a dead card. We don’t get them often, but when we do, it’s normally some hotshot fucker who thinks his shit don’t stink and can cover it. That’s when my happy-go-lucky attitude turns into the pissed-off biker I can be.

I never thought this would be my lifestyle, joining the MC, and running a club like Liquid. Growing up, my career was pretty much planned out. Go to school and then become a Marine like my father. While it did happen that way to a degree, I fought to get there. I became a firefighter when I was nineteen, pissing my father off beyond all belief. But I didn’t care; I was doing something I wanted. And it felt fucking awesome. I finally had a close family. We might not have been family by blood, but we had each other’s backs, and I felt like I had a place where I belonged. Then 9/11 happened. A deep-seated need to do more ate at me, and after a fucked-up argument with my father one evening, I let his words spur me on. I joined the Marines. I went to war and I served my country. At first, it wasn’t what I really wanted, but like everything I’ve ever done, I gave it my all. I fought for my country and for the lives lost, but in the process, I lost a little of myself. It was my decision to serve, but it hasn’t stopped me from letting the anger eat at me. If I hadn’t let my father’s words push me, maybe I wouldn’t be here. Maybe I would still be hanging out with my brothers from the Clark County Fire Department. Don’t get me wrong, I fucking love the life I have. The lifestyle, the women, the club and my brothers, but it doesn’t stop the ‘what ifs.’ What if I never did a second tour? What if I didn’t fuck up and lose one of my best friends and ruin the life of another in the attack. It’s like I lost the certainty of who I was while I was over there, and now, as much as I like where I’m at, I don’t really know who I am. Or what I want.

Shaking my head clear of a part of my life I like to forget, I get my head back in the game and sort out what I have to in order to get back to the woman who’s waiting for me. Running into Bell has messed up my game plan tonight.

After dealing with the asshole, I make my way back down to the bar. Again, my eyes find the table where Bell sits. She’s back from the bathroom, her back to me, but even from behind, my cock stirs thinking about what I could do to her. Get your shit together, Jesse. One, she’s too young, and two, you don’t need hard work. You need easy. I continue to remind myself.

“Who’s the nerd?” Sarah, one of the club’s bartenders asks, coming to stand next to me.

“No one.” I brush Bell off as nothing and ignore the bad taste it leaves in my mouth. A woman like Bell is far from no one.

“You haven’t stopped looking at her.” She pushes and if I didn’t know Sarah liked women, I’d say she was jealous.

“I know her. Not that way, but I know her. It’s no big deal.”

“She’s not your normal type,” she continues, trying to piss me off.

“She has a pussy.” I try for my normal deflection and ignore her comment. If in doubt, always deflect.

“You know what I’m talking about.” She stops and watches me carefully, too carefully.

“No, I don’t. Jesus, Sarah. I swear you’re worse than a wife.” I throw a bar rag at her and move away.

“What would you know about a nagging wife?” She laughs and I decide to give up arguing with her. I’m not in the mood tonight. She’ll only keep pushing.

“I’m heading out. You got yourself covered for tonight?” I grab my keys from under the bar. I need to go back to the clubhouse and fuck Bell out of my head. How fucked up is that!

“Yeah, yeah, go,” she encourages, before stepping up to take another order.

“See you tomorrow,” I call, stepping back out from behind the bar and taking the hand of Candy, or is it Mandy? I don’t give a fuck and it won’t matter after tonight anyway. With one last look at Bell’s table, I make my way out to my bike. If only it was Bell I was putting on the back tonight. Regardless, I pull the blonde bitch behind me out to my bike.

“You have a bike?” Mandy/Candy asks and I hold back my eye roll—I don’t know why I do it to myself. These women are all the same. I can recite word for word what she’s about to say next, without even thinking about it.

“Oh, my God, I’ve never been on a bike before.” She bounces on her feet and I watch her tits bounce with her.

Yep, now, I remember why I pick up women like this.

“Baby, knowing you’re so excited over my bike makes me want to fuck you over the back.” I lean in and kiss her with everything I have. I don’t normally let bitches kiss me, but my head is still messed up over Nurse Bell. I’m desperate to get her out of my head.

“Do it,” she begs, her hands move to my belt. For a minute I think about taking her there, but knowing Bell is just inside still has me on edge. It takes everything in me not to dump the bitch that’s searching for my cock and go back inside to Bell.

Fuck, what is it with her?

A simple, innocent woman has me wanting to break all my rules. Every single one of them.

“There will be plenty of time for that, baby.” I step out of her reach and rearrange myself.

“Okay, but hurry, my pussy is dripping.” The bitch teases and it’s all it takes for my cock to come back to life and focus on the woman willing and waiting on my bike.

Now, if only my mind would follow through.

Four BELL

“Tell us, how well do you know Jesse Carter?” I am grilled as soon as I make my way back to the table.

“I already told you. He was in the hospital a couple of months back. That’s the last time I saw him.” I sit back down and take a breather. Thank God, he’s gone. I discreetly look around to see where he went but come up empty.

“He went upstairs, relax.” Kate points to the VIP section. I nod slightly not letting them know how affected I really am. I don’t know what it is about him, but having him in my presence messed with me tonight. I wasn’t sure why, but each time he comes crashing into my life, I’ve managed to keep myself under control. Could he be wearing me down?

“Did you really see his ass?” Manda leans forward ready for the scoop. I knew they wouldn’t drop this. Knowing them, they will never drop this.

“Gosh, I don’t remember.” The awkward moment when I walked in and saw the man’s ass flashes in front of my eyes.

“She’s lying. Look at her face. You’ve been holding out on us, Bell.” Lissy laughs but I don’t bite.

“He’s a player.” I let them know what I already know. Yeah, I’ve only had minimal conversations with the man, but I swear, I can tell.

“So, I’d let him play me. Any day.” Lissy’s eyes glaze over and I know she is imagining something that involves Jesse Carter.

“Oh, I know you would.” I know just how well Lissy likes to play. She’s not shy when it comes to men.

“He likes you.”

“Please, don’t,” I whisper, knowing where it’s leading. I wish I was ready for anything remotely like what she is implying, but I’m not.

“He does. Couldn’t keep his eyes off you.” She shrugs, stating the facts. I know I felt his stare burn into me, but I can’t read too much into it. I won’t allow it.

“Yes, Lissy, but show the man legs and he wouldn’t be able to keep his eyes off them; besides, he’s old. A lot older.”

“No, I think you’re wrong. He totally wants you, and he isn’t that old, Jesus. Older men are better lovers,” Manda adds, but I won’t let her words affect me. I can’t allow him affect me.

“I wonder what games he’s good at playing.” Lissy groans, and this time, I can’t fight my grin. Typical Lissy. I love my friends but they are all hopeless romantics. I’m the least romantic person ever. I don’t believe in love or fairytales with happily ever afters, and I don’t need a man to make me happy. Am I lonely? Sometimes, but having a man in my bed isn’t going to fill the void in my life. I know that. Especially men like Jesse Carter.

“Just quit it, guys. I’m not interested, you know this,” I say, cutting their daydreaming short.

“But why, Bell?” Kate pushes. “You should be a little bit interested. Just look at him.”

“You know why.” I shake my head, ignoring what she thinks I should and shouldn’t be doing. I’m so sick of hearing it. Why can’t people let it go?

“Because of Paige?” she asks and I can hear the sadness in the question.

“No,” I snap back the lie. I don’t do sympathy and I hate when they blame Paige for my lack of interest in men.

“You can’t wait forever for her,” Manda whispers and I know they are about to start back up again.

“Guys.”

“You do know how messed up this is? It’s your birthday and your family is at home mourning her. You have a man, a sexy-as-sin man come up to you and you just shut him down.” Lissy reminds me, spreading my sadness further down into my soul. Yep, that’s me in a nutshell.

“Lissy stop.”

“No, Bell. It’s not right. You’re important too. Don’t you see?” she keeps pressing, but it’s the last thing I need to hear tonight.

“It’s okay for you guys. You don’t have to live with it. You didn’t lose your sister. Your mother didn’t lose her child.” I drag a deep breath through my nose, hoping to calm my frustration.

“No, but thousands of people do, and there comes a time when moving on is the next step,” Manda adds and I know she’s right. It’s not like we are the only family in the world who are mourning a missing person, but until you live it, breathe it, you have no idea what it’s like.

“Do you know what it’s like not knowing if she’s alive?” I ask, my insecurities flaring at being ganged up on. “We live with it daily. You all sit here and act like I’m some pushover, like I’m wasting my life simply because I’m holding out hope for my sister to be alive.”

“Bell, it’s been six years,” Lissy whispers, reminding me just how much we have lost.

Another blow to the gut.

“Yeah and her body hasn’t been found. You might think you know what it feels like but you don’t. You couldn’t begin to imagine. So what, a man asks me to dance and I say no, so it has to be Paige’s fault?” I stand, pushing my chair back in frustration. Thoughts of Paige and where she could be, what she might have endured, flash in front of me and I can’t handle it.

“Bell, wait.” Manda stands but I can’t be around them right now, not if they continue to throw this all back in my face.

“Just give me five,” I say, needing some fresh air. They don’t follow me. Much to my relief. I need to calm down. I make my way outside; the need to take a breather calls to me. I can’t believe my birthday turned out like this. I should have known better. My birthday has been jinxed since I was seventeen—the night my sister vanished. Ever since then, nothing has been the same.

Pushing the doors with both hands, I drag another breath through my nose and let it fill my lungs. What my friends don’t know is, I hate my sister for this overwhelming despair, this resentment. I don’t know how much more of this painful loneliness I can take. Then in the same breath, I feel desperate, desperate not to give up, often questioning my own well-being. What if she did run away like the police first thought. What if she is dead, her body never to be found? Sometimes I wish she were dead. That her body would show up, end the constant worry. Then maybe our family could have some closure. Maybe the heartbreak of reliving my birthday every year not knowing what has happened to her would be easier. The unknown scares me. One day we have to have the answers. One day we have to have closure.

“Baby, if I knew you’d get so excited over my bike, I’d fuck you over the back.” A deep voice grabs my attention and I find myself staring at Jesse sucking face with some blonde-haired, big-boobed Amazon woman.

Oh, man, not him again. His tanned arm comes around the woman’s waist and pulls her to him. She wraps a leg around him and starts rubbing up against him. It’s the last thing I want to see, but for reasons I don’t want to admit, I can’t look away.

“You know his club has connections. Maybe they could put some feelers out there for Paige?” Lissy comes up behind me as I stand and watch Jesse pull back from the woman then plant her on his bike.

“Why are we still talking about him?” I turn my back, disgusted when I find myself wishing it was me getting on his bike. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. He gets me so worked up. I would never be what Jesse wants, and he would never be what I need. So why does seeing him kiss some skank make me want to be sick? The rumble of his bike grabs my attention and before I can catch myself, I turn back one last time.

“You would look good on the back of his bike,” Lissy teases, and it’s my cue to get back inside.

“Oh, God, no, never,” I lie, hoping I pull it off. We make our way back to the table as I try to push all thoughts of Jesse out of my head.

“I was just telling Bell about the connections the Knights Rebels have,” Lissy tells Manda and Kate as we sit back down at the table. “This isn’t public knowledge but, one of my friends said they helped a woman escape an abusive relationship a while back.” I glance at Lissy, silently thanking her for easing us back into conversation after storming off on them.

“Do you think they would help me?” I sit a little straighter; a small fire sparks in my belly. Could they be the help I need to finally find her? The police have exhausted all avenues. But something has to give. Someone out there has to know something. Something we are missing.

“They might, but how do you ask something like that if it’s all hush?” Kate voices my small concern.

“I have no idea. Maybe just ask Jesse.” Lissy smirks and I immediately know her game plan.

“She barely talked to him earlier. How do you suggest she walk into the club asking for help?” Manda doesn’t seem convinced. But the idea is growing on me.

“They’d eat her alive. It would be interesting to watch.” Lissy laughs but I don’t find anything funny about it.

“I’d be willing to try.” I’d be willing to try anything for Paige, for my family.

“So what, she just walks into the club and asks for help?” Kate asks, not buying it. I’m kind of with her; no doubt Jesse would love it.

“No, we go to one of the club parties, have a few drinks, relax and just drop it in.” Lissy sits up, trying to form an idea.

“You think it will work?” I force myself not to get too excited, but I can’t help it.

“I don’t know him, you do. Either way, there’s no harm in trying.” She’s right; there’s no harm in trying. If I could help give my family the answers they need, I’d do it. I’d do anything.

“I want to try,” I tell them. Hope slowly ignites in my heart once again. The awareness brings questions and anticipation but I know it’s what I need.

“Okay, let me talk to my friend who knows them. She’s seeing some guy named Hunter, the newest member. She asked if I wanted to go to a club party a couple of weeks back. Maybe she can get us in.”

“Yes, do it.” I nod ready for this. This is one chance I can’t give up. Even if it means talking to Jesse.

“Okay, but if she says yes, there is no pulling out. We’re doing this,” she throws her warning at me, but I don’t need it.

“I want this,” I tell her.

“And if they agree, whatever they find out, you have to accept,” she adds and I understand what she is saying. If the Rebels don’t find my sister, I have to let it go. I can’t promise her that, so I lie.

“I will.”

She licks her lips before taking a sip of her drink. “Well, looks like we might be going to a Rebels’ party.” She sounds as excited as I feel. But knowing Lissy, it’s for totally different reasons.

“I hear they party hard.” Manda flashes an are-you-sure-about-this grin at me, but I can’t let myself think about that right now.

This is the chance I need. I just need one break, one clue. There has to be someone who knows something, and something in me tells me the Knights Rebels just might be able to give me my answers.

“I don’t even look like myself.” I turn my face to check out another angle. “I really don’t think this is a good idea.” I blink once, then twice and decide I’m in way over my head. Tonight, we’re going to the Knights Rebels’ clubhouse to see if they can help me. I’ve had the last two weeks to think this game plan over, two weeks to ponder if they can really help. Two weeks to gather some much needed confidence.

“You don’t look like you, so what? It will make it easier to relax,” Lissy explains. I let my eyes travel over my face at the artwork she has managed. My dark hair is pulled up in a bun on top of my head, waiting for Manda to work her magic, but my face, my face is flawless—smoky eyes, long lashes. I’m looking at myself but seeing a different woman.

“How do I not look like me?” I ask again, listening to them all laugh.

“Have you ever had your makeup done?” Manda asks, and I shake my head. There has never been a time when I’ve needed to. Not once.

“Tell me why we have to go to this extreme again?” I ask, watching Manda set up her curling iron, ready to start on my hair.

“Have you seen the women these men get? We need to fit in, okay?” Lissy pulls out a short black skirt while searching for something to pair it with.

“I am not wearing that.” I spy the gold top she chooses.

“You will if you want to get the man,” she counters, placing it on the bed.

“I don’t want any man,” I scoff, turning away from the mirror and picking up the small scrap of material she expects me to wear. It’s barely enough to cover the most important parts.

“You should! Especially a man like Jesse.” Manda swoons and I roll my eyes. God, help me.

“Please, just stop,” I plead and fall back on the bed. The nerves are becoming too much, eating at me each minute that ticks by. “I’m not trying to get laid. I’m trying to find my sister,” I remind them what tonight is about. I know this is exciting for them, but for me, this is about Paige. Nothing more.

“We know, but wouldn’t it be cool to get laid as well?” Lissy asks so seriously I have to process it for a second.

“NO!” I sit up and look at her.

“Come on, Bell, you’re twenty-three, for God’s sake.”

“So?” The question squeaks from my lips because I know what she’s about to say.

“A twenty-three year old virgin.”

“Hey, I’ve had sex before.” I counter, hating they still think I’m a virgin.

“Bell,” Lissy sighs, “did the penis make it all the way in?” She asks the same question every time we argue about this subject.

“Halfway,” I admit, watching them laugh. “Where’s Kate gone?” I ask, starting to feel picked on.

“Don’t change the subject,” Manda says but I ignore her.

“Kate,” I call out, needing backup. Out of all the girls, Kate is the one who agrees with me.

“Bell, you do know you’re still a virgin, right? The one penetration when you were sixteen doesn’t count.” Lissy moves to the bed and sits next to me.

I look up, wanting to argue my case, but if I’m being honest, she’s right. “I know,” I sigh, wishing I had let it happen all the way. The stigma of being a twenty-three year old virgin is getting old.

“Not that we are saying anything bad about it, but you should pop your cherry before you get to fifty, and when I say pop, I mean pop it all the way.” Lissy laughs, so I nudge her shoulder. Unprepared for it, she tilts back before falling to the floor.

“Teasing me about my virginity isn’t very nice,” I tell her, then help her up.

“Well, lose it and it won’t be an issue.” She falls on me, pushing me back onto the bed.

“I’ll lose it when I’m ready, and it won’t be with a man like Jesse,” I shift her off me. I know they are playing with me, but a part of me hates that I haven’t experienced it yet. I often wonder if I ever will.

“Girl, if I could have a do over, I’d volunteer to lose mine to Jesse Carter.” Lissy sighs, a lustful look dancing over her face.

“The man is a whore,” I state the obvious but she just shrugs not phased by the truth.

“Means he’s well practiced.” She giggles and I just shake my head.

“Or he has an STD,” Kate walks in, giving her opinion.

“Thank you.” I throw my hands up knowing she would have my back.

“Please, a man like Carter would know about wrapping it up,” Lissy counters, not giving up her fight.

“Are we done?” I stand, not prepared to imagine Jesse wrapping his business. I need to keep my head straight tonight.

“Yes, come here. I need to do your hair,” Manda says, ready for me. I stand and walk back over.

“Regardless if you let him pop your cherry this is going to be so much fun.” Lissy stands to get dressed, while dread weaves its way into my mind. Fun is the last thing on my mind. I can’t help but wonder if I’m doing the right thing. I wish I had all the answers, but I don’t. I just have to remember I’m doing this for Paige. Everything about this is for Paige.

We pull into the Knights Rebels’ compound an hour later. After forcing me to wear the stupid gold top and short black skirt, I decided it would be easier just to go with the flow, and get it over with. Agreeing with Lissy is often the best in these sorts of situations.

“He’s not going to recognize me,” I tell the quiet car, my fingernails digging into my palm.

“Oh, please, he will,” Manda assures me as we park.

“You’re going to be fine.” Kate reaches over and squeezes my hand. I don’t feel fine. I feel like I’m going to be sick.

“So what do I say again?” I ask as the girls all pile out. They’ve already gone over play-by-play what I need to say, but it’s not sticking.

“Let’s just find Sarah and she can show us around,” Lissy shakes her head knowing it’s not going to help. I just need to be thrown in. Then I will be fine. I nod, and start following her to the large steel door at the entrance. Two guys block our path, arms folded over their chest, eyes trained on us. Both stand taller as we approach.

“Hi, we’re here with Hunter’s woman tonight,” Lissy says, knowing what to say to get us in. The bigger, older guy nods and moves to let us pass. I ignore his eyes as they travel down my body and pray Lissy knows what she’s doing bringing us here. I’ve never been anywhere near men like this before, and the slight anxiety I feel of the unknown keeps me on edge.

“Thanks, boys.” She waves them off like she knows them, stepping into the clubhouse with ease. I take Kate’s hand, drawing strength from her and follow closely down a darkened hall. For a second, I seriously think about turning around and leaving, but leaving would mean walking past those men alone, so instead, I pull Kate forward, move closer to Manda and continue down the hall inside the clubhouse.

Before we came, Lissy schooled us on how we should act and what to do in certain situations. I’m surprised Manda and Kate still agreed to come after learning what we might see. But I think deep down, they want this for me as much as I do. I know coming here may be dangerous, but I have dealt with the Knights Rebels before, in the hospital, and each time I have met them they seem like nice people. But maybe they are different in their own environment.

“You made it.” Sarah, Lissy’s friend, spots us first when we turn the corner into a large open area. She’s sitting at the bar talking to a cute dark-haired man whose Rebels’ cut tells me he’s a member.

“We’re here,” Lissy says, accepting Sarah’s hug. I look around, while the girls all say hi, and notice the amount of people in tonight. I know Lissy said the Rebels like to party, I just didn’t expect it to be this type of party. Girls in barely-there clothes, less than what I’m wearing, hang off bikers, their fake laughs filling the air. An older guy sits on the sofa, a woman, on his lap, her hips riding against him in time with the music that blares above us.

“You look amazing, Bell,” Sarah finally greets me. We embrace, breaking my stare at the couple. “Hot damn, stay away from my man.” She laughs and turns back to the guy behind the bar. My eyes follow her lead and land on the dark-haired man. He’s busy filling drinks but still manages to take a moment to look back at Sarah. He lifts his chin up in greeting, then turns back to what he was doing.

“That’s Hunter. He’s mine.” She winks and I laugh awkwardly. That’s the last thing on my mind. I’m not here to find a man. Only to talk to Jesse. I think to myself.

“Come, let’s get some drinks and I’ll show you around.” She drags us over to her hot man, telling us to order whatever we want. I decide to keep to my no-drinking rule. If I do get to talk to Jesse, I need to have my wits about me. I keep an eye out, waiting for what, I don’t know. But I haven’t seen Jesse or anyone I know yet. After talking with Sarah for fifteen minutes, we find our way outside. I spot Holly and her man sitting at the center table. Nix, the Rebels’ President, and another scary biker guy with longer hair, all sit around drinking and talking. Holly holds her belly, and the smile nestled on my face is for her. She’s finally getting her happy ending she deserves.

The last time I saw Holly was the same night Jesse was admitted. Holly suffered a fall down the stairs, courtesy of the crazed ex-husband of a woman the Rebels helped out, and Jesse suffered a cut and busted-up ankle when he tried to help her. I didn’t know at the time, but Lissy filled me in when I asked just how she knew the Rebels helped women. I don’t know much about this club, and what exactly they get up to, but from what I’ve heard and seen, I know these people are good people.

“Bell, Manda just saw Jesse walk in.” Kate comes up to me as I sit talking to a couple of girls who introduced themselves as Elisha and Carly. It’s been thirty minutes and I was beginning to think he wasn’t going to show.

“Oh, God, Kate.” I panic so she takes my hand and drags me back inside to where Lissy is playing pool with some young guy.