Jasper

Hours later, after listening to members of the town council and other business men tell me about how their wives won’t let them get a motorcycle; I finally get out of there. The MC will host a Poker Ride next month to raise money for the town’s jubilee celebration in addition to running a BBQ at the Fall Celebration to benefit Meals on Wheels. Other than making the MC look good, I have eight upstanding citizens who know where I was for a solid chunk of the day.

From there I ride around town, circling past my place I head toward the county line, to one of our safe houses. Pulling around back, I nod to Gunner as I enter the kitchen.

“They’re downstairs,” He says before lighting a cigarette.

Pushing open the hidden door that’s flush against the long wall of the kitchen, I click it back into place before heading down the old stairs to the sounds of muffled screams.

“How’s it going, Brother?” I ask Roy, entering a large room with a drain in the center of the floor. Roy is spraying Emma’s ex down with the hose that’s on a far wall.

“He was getting sleepy, this works better than caffeine,” Roy chuckles.

“Can he still hold a pen?” I ask. Roy cuts off the water and we move to untie his wrists from the hook above his head. He groans through his gag as we lower him into a chair.

“You have to help me,” Adam mutters as I remove the rag from his mouth. “They have the wrong person, I’m a man of the cloth. People will come looking for me.”

“Yeah. You been a little slow signing your divorce papers, thought I could just help you along with that.” I say, moving a chair so I’m sitting across from him, pulling the document out of my cut’s pocket.

He starts laughing and I know this’ll get uglier before I get what I want.

“You nailing that whore wife of mine?” He snarls and Roy slugs him, causing his head to loll to the side for a moment.

“She still taste like my shit when you first had her?” Adam laughs, almost acknowledging that he knows he’ll never leave the room but seemingly wanting to hasten his end. I lurch from my seat but Roy is already next to him and grabs him by the throat; looking more enraged than I’ve ever seen anyone.

“Give me that hammer, boy.” Roy grounds out. I grab his arm, pulling him back.

“He’s got to sign this first, then he’s all yours.” I wave the divorce papers in front of them.

After a nod from Roy, I concede, handing him the hammer, he goes to work on Adam’s feet. He was ready to sign after the third hit but Roy was enjoying himself too much to reign himself in.

After the paperwork was signed, Roy and I secure him before heading upstairs.

“My turn?” Gunner asks when he sees us. Roy just nods, heading to the sink to wash up.

“I’d appreciate it.” I say. “Keep him a live a couple days, want to make sure this is everything the lawyer needs. Get some probies out here with bleach as soon as…”

“Done this before, Pres.” Gunner says, lighting another cigarette. “They’ll have this place spotless when it’s time.”

“I’m getting these to the lawyer then we’ll be gone a few days.” I pause, knowing they don’t expect anything else. “I owe you both.” I feel like I’ve been saying that a lot lately.

Happy to get home, I find Em all packed and ready for our weekend away. I still haven’t figured out a way to broach the subject of her divorce. Before long, we get on 84 heading to Boise.

“What’s in that bag, Darlin’?” I ask, as she’s rifling through a grocery store bag.

“I bought Road Trip Supplies!” She says, taking out an orange soft drink and red Twizzlers.

“What the fuck is in there? Since when do you drink that shit?” I ask, majorly confused.

“Jas – it’s a road trip. You can’t go on a road trip without buying a bag of junk food you liked when you were a kid!” She says, while trying to shove a Twizzler in my mouth.

“What? Hey!” I try getting away from her but the minute I opened my mouth, she jammed it in. “It’s only a few hours, how much shit did you buy, woman?

“Woman? I prefer Emma, or Darlin’. Ol’ Lady will do in a pinch, but “woman”?” Emma says and I can feel her rolling her eyes even though I’m looking at the road. “Oh, and I got us Mad Lips.”

“Yeah, pretty sure, that’s ‘Libs’, DARLIN’.” I say, choking down the red licorice.

“I know, but I always said it wrong when I was growing up, so…” She grins at me and I can’t help but smile along; loving this happy, carefree side of her and loathe the idea of casting a shadow over it.

“Need to talk, Emma.” I look over at her. “Adam is going to be signing your divorce papers, today or tomorrow. Ok if Jessop files them on Monday?”

“What? When did you hear? I left a voicemail with him yesterday and never heard back?” She’s suddenly serious again.

“Yeah, I ran into Jessop in town and said I’d pass that onto you.” I look at her quickly and see the appraising look on her face.

“Adam’s gonna sign them, just like that, Jasper? Take nothing and go?” She asks and I shrug my shoulders. “Turn the car around.”

“What?” I feel a sudden weight in the pit of my stomach.

“You know what I’ve been through and you’re going to sit there and lie to me?” She whispers and I see her face has flushed red.

“Darlin’…”

“Don’t. Just don’t. Let me out.” She seethes, reaching her hand up to the door handle.

“I can’t stop here.” I try to take her hand but she strikes out at me. “Darlin’, he became club business the second you became mine. The papers are ready, just let it go.”

“Did you…”

“I didn’t lay a hand on him. I swear to you.” Technically telling her the truth.

“But you ordered it.” She whispers.

“Of course.” Fuck, I hate being questioned. I did the right thing. She sits beside me, unwilling to speak, tears streaming down her cheeks; her carefree mood destroyed.

Hours later, I pull up to the Sheraton and wave away the valet. Looking at her, I reach for her hand again. She lets me hold it this time but doesn’t move a muscle.

“What…” I begin.

“Is that how you see our relationship going? That you’ll just lie to me to try to keep me happy? That I’m not smart enough to figure things out?” She cuts me off. Anger is radiating from her body.

“I think you are incredibly intelligent, Emma. But can YOU lie?” I turn to her. “Will you protect my Brothers when there’s an investigation into Adam’s disappearance? I swore I’d keep you safe and that’s what I’m doing.”

“When they find him…”

“They won’t, they won’t ever find him. Just know that the divorce papers were served, then they were turned into Jessop’s temporary assistant and Jessop found them in his inbox when he got back from the meeting we were at; us and seven other everyday businessmen.” I pause. “The only qualm I have about what took place is how you’re looking at me right now.”

“You can’t go around killing…”

“I’m not a goddamn saint!” I say louder than planned as I reach for her chin. “In my world, when things need doing, I have to…”

My words are lost as glass explodes all around us, her eyes widen in terror as blood sprays across her face. I lean across to cover her, to find her wound, when I belatedly realize that I’m the one who was hit. Emma screaming my name is the last thing I register before everything goes dark.