Jax

Troy tapped the hammer, and the meeting was officially in session. I glanced at Drake and Swan, both Presidents from leading charters. They both looked slightly stunned that I was letting Troy still be in charge. After all, I was the son of the great, I over-ruled all of them.

“The run, will it be a week, or two?” Drake’s voice was a low growl, like it normally was.

“A week,” Troy spoke up and lit the cigarette in his mouth. “Perhaps two, if things go longer.”

“They shouldn’t,” I cut in, fearing what two weeks could do to mine and Amber’s fresh relationship. “If it does, we will send the job over to the New Castle charter.”

Troy shot me a dirty look, clearly not liking me pulling rank but I would be fucked if I spent two weeks away from Amber. I was throbbing at the thought of being away from her for a week.

“Whatever you say,” Troy muttered bitterly, before glancing at his brothers, then back at Swan and Drake. “Could you boys clear out for a moment?” Drake and Swan looked offended, but they weren’t in a position to deny Troy’s direct request.

Grumbling under their breath to each other, they pushed their chairs back with anger and stormed from the room. Clearly, both Presidents didn’t like being spoken down to. I looked at Troy; why would he do that?

When the door closed, it was only us five once again. Mike and Dale, our other seated riders at the table, were in Melbourne doing some collecting.

“We have something to discuss,” Troy pulled his chair up and placed his cigarette on an ashtray. “It’s slightly personal,” he directed at me. “But still club business.”

Cole leaned back in his chair, Tyler too moved in his chair to give Troy attention, and even Adam put his beer down.

“It’s about Amber.” Troy’s eyes were still on me. “I know that this may come across as personal, but it relates to the club.”

I nodded my head for him to continue.

“I don’t think we should leave her behind,” Troy sighed. “She won’t last.”

Won’t last? What the heck did that mean?

“I was going to bring this subject up,” Cole grunted and crossed his arms. “I want her to come.”

If I had been drinking, I would have choked, and if I had been smoking, I think I still would have choked.

“Why?” I spoke, and looked at the four of them. Each had an understanding expression, but yet I was in the dark.

“She doesn’t like being left alone,” Tyler answered me, and turned to look me in the eye. “She might look tough and fearless, but she isn’t.”

I knew this, and I felt like punching him for telling me about my girlfriend. My expression turned bitter, and I knew they saw it.

“Look Jax, we don’t like asking for personal favors. Fuck, it pisses me off having to ask this but I want Amber on the ride; but it is club business so it can go to a vote,” Troy said as he crossed his arms.

“She doesn’t like being alone isn’t a big enough reason for her to join a gun run,” I crossed my arms. I wanted to be near Amber, but her coming on this ride would place a greater responsibility on my shoulders. I would have to keep every wanker away from her, without bringing it to her brothers’ attention, and, on top of that, I have to lead a successful dangerous run.

But then if she was with me, I would know she was safe.

“She’s coming,” Cole growled at me, but his statement meant nothing.

“Not if that is the only reason,” I snapped back.

“Amber can’t be left alone,” Adam said calmly at me, knowing that threats wouldn’t get any of them far. “She isn’t well enough.”

“She’s sick?” I arched an eyebrow, although I knew she wasn’t. She had been anything but sick last night. I wanted to groan; why would I bring those memories to myself at this moment?

“She’s on a list,” Tyler muttered. “We have been handling it, so it didn’t relate to the club.”

“What sort of list?”

“A hit list. Blake got her on it,” Cole snarled and glared at the table. “After he went to jail, she has been placed as the informer.”

Amber was on a hit list? I gritted my teeth; I was pissed off that they had kept this to themselves. “Has anyone approached her?”

“No, not yet,” Troy added. “Which is why we want to keep her close.”

Now another job had been added to my plate, although this job I would complete with pleasure. Someone was threatening my girlfriend, my only weakness. These poor bastards had no idea who they were messing with. They were dead men walking.

“She comes,” I grunted. “My vote is in favor.”

The guys looked at me, each expecting to have had to do more to get my vote but they had it now, and I knew they wouldn’t question it any further.

“We will deal with the hit list when we get back.” I got up, my expression blank. “Next time, don’t keep things from me.”

“The hit list doesn’t affect the club,” Tyler said slowly.

“Amber is your sister. It splits my Charter leaders’ attention; it affects the club.” My voice was firm and harsh. I couldn’t have them running around behind my back, leading their own war. “We will leave tonight like planned.”

Troy brought the hammer down, and the meeting was closed. It would be impossible to keep mine and Amber’s relationship a secret for much longer, especially once we get back and I hunt those bastards down for thinking they can hunt my girlfriend.

“I’ll pick Amber up,” I said. “It will stop the conversation.” I opened the club door and Troy nodded his head at me with a thankful smile.

Bringing your sister on a run wasn’t going to look good in the other riders’ eyes, but if she was on the back of my bike, not one biker would doubt why she was here. If they did, I would shoot their head off; as, unlike the Shield boys, I could actually kill a member and I would, for only two reasons; betrayal and Amber.

***

“Amber?” I knocked on her door, and pushed it open slowly. “Amber?” Where the heck was she? I heard the running tap and walked across her room quickly.

“Amber?” I said louder. It was late; after ten.

I pushed her ensuite door open, and running water was filling the spa, but she wasn’t in it. Alarmed, I took the scene in quickly. I felt myself being pulled to the ground as I took her in, sitting on the floor, her knees to her arms and her head in her hands.

“What the fuck is wrong?” I panicked, and her head snapped up as I placed my hand on her knee. Her eyes were wide, and her cheeks stained with tears.

“What are you doing here?” She choked. Her skin was freezing and I began to wonder how long she had been on the cold floor.

“For you,” I said, reaching behind her and turned the tap off. “What’s wrong?”

“I… nothing.” She inhaled quickly and bit her lower lip.

“Don’t lie to me,” I kneeled back in front of her, placing a hand on each side of her. “Now I’m going to ask you again. What’s wrong?”

“It’s pathetic,” she whimpered. “Don’t worry about it… you should go.”

“Tell me.”

She shook her head stubbornly, and her hair whipped across her face. 

“Go,” she muttered, and wouldn’t look me back in the eye. Each tear that fell down her cheek angered me more. I didn’t like watching her cry, and it pissed me off that I didn’t know how to stop it.

“Fine, get up.”

I wrapped my arms around her waist and supporting all her weight, I pulled her to her feet. She didn’t fight me, and I scooped her up easily. I knew Amber hated being seen as weak and I knew right now she would hate herself.

I carried her out and softly placed her on the edge of her bed.

“Where are your bags?” I grunted, before pulling her wardrobe doors open. I groaned as I took in all her stuff.. How the hell was I going to be able to pack her shit, when she had so much stuff to pick from?

“What are you doing Jax?” she wiped the tears from her cheeks.

“You’re coming with us.” I pulled something from a hanger, and when it turned out not be a jumper, I flung it to the floor. Her walk-in wardrobe was massive, and it was full. Suddenly, I was facing a new nightmare.

“On the run?” Her voice was dry.

“Yes,” I snapped. “If I can get your shit into a bag.”

I snapped around when I heard her giggling, frowning at her. She held her stomach. Her cheeks were red, and her eyes were bloodshot but she was laughing.

“I’ve spent the last two hours depressed. You didn’t think of calling me and telling me this?” She shook her head. “God, Jax!”

“How the hell was I meant to know you would be crying?” I crossed my arms. “I didn’t think you would care that much.”

She automatically looked offended and then I watched her face turn to disgust. “Fine. I’m not going.”

I sighed; I’d set myself up for that one. “That wasn’t what I meant.”

“It sounded like you weren’t going to miss me, so fuck you, I’m not going to miss you.” She crossed her arms, like the headstrong woman she was.

I walked across the room and stood in front of her. Why did I have to fall for this strong-willed woman?

“Babe, I didn’t mean it like that.” I placed a finger under her chin and pulled her head up. “Next time I will call. Now please, help me pack your crap. The guys are waiting.”

Amber’s eyes were fierce, even under the red stains. She wouldn’t let me see her emotion, and she wasn’t letting me off the hook that quickly. Pushing my hand away from her face, she got up and pushed past me.

I couldn’t help but smirk as I sat on the edge of the bed, watching her begin to pack. She was one hell of a woman, and she was my woman; I had fallen hard.