Zero and Wraith approach. “Ethan, can you watch the kids for a while? Kevlar, Jovie… we need to talk some shit over?”
Jovie’s eyes widen as Ethan dips his head. “Sure, Zero, we’ll be here.”
I scruff Lucas’ hair, then Ethan pulls him up to sit on a chair. Sadie’s chatting with Savanah, she’ll keep Sadie occupied for a while.
“Okay, let’s go.” I reach out for Jovie’s hand. She instinctively threads her fingers with mine, and we walk hand in hand toward the chapel behind Zero and Wraith. Jovie’s palm is sweaty. This can be all a little overwhelming and even intimidating, so I totally understand why she’s nervous right now.
Zero walks through the door followed by Wraith, then I enter, leading Jovie through and close the door behind us.
Jovie exhales. “Am I in trouble?” she asks before anyone has even had a chance to take a seat at the table.
Zero and Wraith both pull out their chairs while I lead Jovie over to the table, gesturing for her to relax. She doesn’t—she stays standing.
“Jovie, stop stressing. Kevlar told you we’re here to help, right?” She nods her head. “Then, that’s what we’re gonna do. Y’all just need to be honest with us. So please, take a damn seat,” Zero requests.
Jovie’s eyes shift to mine, so I pull out a chair for her and sit on the one next to it.
She exhales, finally sitting down. Stubborn woman. “Y’all will have to excuse me if I’m a little apprehensive.”
“Let me put it this way, has Kevlar shown you signs of asshole behavior?”
She turns to me, her expression softening, then back to Zero. “No, never.”
“Well, we’re just like him. Hell, we took him into our brotherhood when he was a damn cop. If that doesn’t say what kind of men we are, I’m not fucking sure what does.”
She nods. “Okay, then, what do you want to know?”
JOVIE
The president, Zero, is tall, assertive, and a little gruff, but I suppose that’s to be expected in his position. The thing I wasn’t expecting was for him to be as sexy as all sin. The vice president, Wraith, has an edge to him, an aura, and he’s quieter than Zero. But again, when I agreed to come here, I certainly didn’t think all these bikers would be as attractive as Kevlar. I thought he would have been an exception to the rule. Honestly, I wasn’t prepared for the sheer size of this place or the state of it. I guess my expectations were for it to be unkempt and kind of a dive, but it’s actually pretty freaking cool. I have to say the Houston Defiance clubhouse and its members have definitely blown my mind.
“Jovie?” Kevlar’s voice shocks me from my reverie.
“Sorry, what?” I turn, taking in the medium-sized room overloaded with alpha men.
Zero, Wraith, and Kevlar have a way about them that is making me feel small right now. Plus, I think I’m still in shock from the accident, not to mention the awesome painkillers Hoodoo gave me that are still circulating in my system. I guess I’m a little spaced-out right now.
“You need to tell us about your family. Why are they after you?” Zero grunts out like he’s getting impatient.
I sit taller. “Right, yes, okay. You’re not going to like what I have to say, though.”
“Then you better get to talking.”
Taking a deep breath, I try to figure out exactly where to start, figuring it’s best at the beginning. “When I was younger, I knew my father was into some shady shit. He and my mother were always fighting because he was constantly leaving the house at stupid hours. Didn’t come home for weeks at a time. Strangers would be sitting out the front of our house for no reason. I couldn’t understand and didn’t until I was much older.”
“Your father is in some dodgy shit?” Kevlar asks.
“Ahh… yeah. And when my mother finally had enough, she kicked his ass out, but he took my brothers with him to raise them in the business. The family business. His father was in it. His brothers were, too. He wanted his entire family to be a part of it. It’s a generational kind of thing.”
“Does this family business have a name?” Zero asks.
“I suppose it’s not so much a business, more an enterprise. And yeah… they’re known as the Slavers Syndicate—”
“The Slavers… from San Antonio? Are you fucking with me right now?” Wraith bursts out.
I exhale, sinking in on myself. “Yeah, that’s the impression most people have. So, I tend to keep that shit to myself.”
Kevlar rubs the back of his neck, then his eyes shift to Zero, whose nostrils flare.
“You’re telling me… a daughter of the Slavers, is here, in our clubhouse?”
This is why I stopped telling people who my family is because they judge me. It’s why I didn’t tell Kevlar because the way he’s looking at me right now, it honestly looks like disgust.
“I’m not them. My father and brothers left me and my mother when I was young. I’ve had nothing to do with the—”
“So, why the fuck are you running from them now?” Zero grumbles.
“They came for me. Said I’ve been denying my birthright for far too long, that I must be a part of the syndicate. I don’t want to be like them. Before my mother…” I take a deep breath. The pain ripples through my chest as I clench my eyes tight, trying to fight the memory, but I need to get it out. “Before my mother died, I was studying to be an attorney, so I could find a way to bring them all down. I hate what they do. They ruin lives. They’re not good people.”
Wraith scoffs. “We’re not good people, so why the fuck are you here with us?”
I turn to Kevlar, his eyes are dim, but he reaches out, grabbing my hand in a show of support. “Because she needs our help. Yeah, we’re not always on the right side of the law, but we’re not anywhere near the Slavers’ level of corruption. If Jovie’s running, then she’s in trouble. We’re the kind of men she needs on her side.”
Wraith scoffs. “Yeah, but that trouble is gonna follow her right to our damn doorstep. We have people here who need protecting, too, Kevlar. People who aren’t even born yet.”
I met Prinie outside. She’s pregnant, so Wraith must be referring to her. I guess he’s the father.
“I don’t want to cause any trouble… my chances out there on my own are bad, but honestly, I don’t want to bring any drama to you, either. Look what’s happened already with the car accident…” I sigh. “You’re right, I don’t want to endanger anyone here at your club, especially pregnant women. Sav and I will leave immediately.”
Kevlar stands from his seat aggressively. “Zero, c’mon… you know as well as I do if the Slavers are after Jovie, and we let her and Sav walk, what’s gonna happen to them. I don’t ask for much. Hell, I’ve done a fucking lot for this club. I gave up my previous life for this club. Pres, please, we need to keep her safe.”
My chest tightens with the emotion that’s pouring from Kevlar. He understands. He finally understands me, and I’m seeing him in an all-new light. He’s not only a great fucking guy but protective of those he cares about. And right now, I’m someone he cares about.