“Fun?” I cut her off, stepping closer, my boot kicking a scrap of metal across the pavement. Rage toward our mother roared in my chest. Sure, she was sick now. But she’d let this girl grow up fending for herself. “You’re fifteen. You should be having sleepovers and doing your nails, not going to a fucking underground rave.”
Her tears carved tracks through the smudged makeup on her cheeks.
“Hey, easy, brother,” Fuse rumbled from behind me. His calm authority cut through my storm. He laid a hand on my shoulder. “Yelling’s not going to help. She’s here. She’s safe. And, most importantly, she called you. You act like this, and she’ll never ask again.”
I shrugged him off, but his words hit like a punch to the gut. He was right. Fuse always fucking was, thinking about the long game while I swung wild.
Jessa stared at the ground, and something cracked in me. Not just anger. Guilt. She’d reached out—trusted me—and I’d just torn into her.
“Fuck, I’m sorry,” I muttered, dragging a hand over my beard. “Get on the bike, kid. We’re going to the clubhouse. You can sleep there tonight. And tomorrow? We’re talking rules.”
She sniffled. I handed her the helmet. She latchedit under her chin and crossed her arms as she glared at me. I glanced at Fuse, hoping for some help with the fuming teenager standing before me.
“You can ride with me if you want to stay mad at Hatchet for a bit longer,” he offered. “My bike’s more comfortable anyway.”
He cut his eyes to me like I was the problem. He might be a friend and a brother, but he wouldn’t let me bulldoze her. And, as pissed as I was, I appreciated it.
Jessa’s eyes met mine, and I nodded calmly. She climbed behind Fuse with shaky hands, clutching his waist.
When we arrived at the clubhouse, Fuse had helped her off his bike and said goodbye. I’d settled Jessa in the guest suite. Chaos had curled up in bed beside her, and I’d left them both, needing space to think. I headed down to the empty bar and poured myself a double before pulling my phone from my cut to send a text message.
Me: I need a good lawyer. Any recommendations?
The heaviness of the night weighed on me, but I’d be damned if I let it crush Jessa. Surprise shot through me when Everest responded immediately. I’d expected him to be asleep.
Everest: You know, there are a lot of different kinds of lawyers, right? Did you get arrested?
Me: Family lawyer. I need custody of my little sister before her mom dies.
Everest: Got it. Let me ask around in the morning.
Before I woke up, I had the numbers for two lawyers that Everest said were the best. I dropped by to borrow a T-shirt and shorts from Kenna for Jessa, and knocked on the suite door.
“Go away,” Jessa rasped.
“I’m coming in,” I warned. I gave her a minute and opened thedoor. I threw the bag of borrowed clothes on the bed. “Get dressed and then come downstairs so we can talk.”
Chaos trotted after me, and I closed the door. I leaned against it for a moment and then walked down the stairs to wait for my sister. Merci perched on a barstool. She slid a can of Red Bull across the bar, something I’d gotten a taste for on her lips.
“Tough night. Thought maybe you could use a friend right now.”
I eyed her warily.Friend. Right.
“Kenna told me what happened. I’m here if you need me.”
“Thanks,” I gruffed, sliding onto the barstool next to her. Chaos nudged my leg, tail thumping.
“About yesterday—” Merci started, but stopped as Jessa’s footsteps echoed faintly down the stairs.
I straightened, rubbing the back of my neck. Last night’s rage had cooled into steely resolve. As much as I wanted to talk to Merci, my top priority was my sister. She wasn’t slipping through the cracks anymore. Not on my watch.
Jessa shuffled in, tugging at the hem of the borrowed T-shirt. She wouldn’t meet my gaze.
“Sit,” I said, patting the stool beside me.
“I’ll give you two a minute.” Merci slipped away to the pinball machines. Chaos trailed behind her.
“Look, kid, about last night,” I started. “I lost my shit because I care. You’re fifteen. That warehouse? Serious shit happens in places like that. Shit I don’t want to happen to you. You hear me?”
