Page 47 of Beautifully Shattered (Secrets & Scars #3)

T here’s a swarm of butterflies beating against my chest today, and they’re definitely not the good kind.

I was nervous throughout the whole ride here.

Not just because I was clinging to Ringo on the back of his motorcycle again, and worried the whole time that we’d get ambushed again by some Satan’s Rebels.

But also because we were coming back onto the compound and knowing I’ll be seeing Smitty again leaves a sour taste coating my tongue.

Every new encounter with that man makes me like him less and less. And today, I can’t even summon the energy to pretend to be nice.

The Marx convoy is waiting out on the road for us, staying in their cars as the June winter weather turns bleak .

There’s an icy chill in the air, probably rolling off the snow-capped mountains, leaving the compound looking deserted as everyone hides indoors.

“No plotting,” Ringo reminds me, ushering me up the steps of Smitty’s house. “Leave it to JD. He’ll get this shit sorted out.”

I roll my eyes, because I don’t know how he’s gonna talk a man like Nate Smith around. But whatever. We’ll try it their way first, I guess.

When the door to Smitty’s cabin swings open, Jols’ eyes dance between us before shifting over Ringo’s shoulder to where JD stands in the yard, rubbing his hands together as steam drifts from his parted lips.

“Hey, Babydoll,” he calls, but doesn’t come closer.

“Hey… you.” Jols shifts anxiously from foot to foot, so I step up to her and slip my hand in hers.

“Show me what you’ve been up to,” I say with a smile, and she nods, her eyes still glued to JD, who shoots her a wink as Ringo gives my arse a playful tap.

“Behave.”

I flutter my lashes at him, earning me a smirk before he stalks off, leaving me with Jols, and the guys hurry over to the barn.

“Has he been okay?” Jols asks, tracking him as they get further away, and I nod.

“Show me what you’ve been doing to turn this tin box into a home for Smitty.”

She smirks. “He doesn’t know it yet, but I’ve left little surprises hidden around the place that he’ll find over time, and remember me.”

I giggle, following her inside, relieved it’s cosy and warm enough to take off my thick coat and gloves .

Something I didn’t know about Jols is that she’s quite the handywoman.

She knows how to use tools like tradies use to build houses. I have no idea about any of that, but she does, and it shows in every corner of this place.

There are pictures hanging on the walls, and she lifts each one to show me a message scribbled in black marker directly on the plaster.

They are messages basically telling Smitty to go fuck himself. I howl with laughter as she reveals each one, telling me that Celina knows about them too.

“Why is she with him? He’s such a pig, and she knows he’s married to your mum.”

Jols shrugs. “My mum’s relationship with him is purely transactional.

She’s actually got a girlfriend, so she’s happy with the arrangement.

As for Celina…” Jols flops back on the couch.

“She’s top Doxy because of her relationship with him.

Maybe that’s why she puts up with his bullshit. Or maybe she actually likes him.”

I scoff. “She might need her head checked if that’s the case.”

Jols smiles, but it looks forced.

Shit. Maybe I shouldn’t be bagging her father figure. He did save her.

She has a strange relationship with him, and maybe she puts up with his crap because she feels like she owes him.

But that’s her prerogative, right?

“Sorry. I know you care about him. I’m sure he can be a decent guy.”

“Let’s not talk about him anymore. Tell me how you are.”

I cringe. “I’d rather talk about you. ”

Jols snickers. “Geez, we’re a pair.”

Sighing, I stare at the TV playing a muted footy match, then tip my head onto Jols’ shoulder.

“Not knowing where Tahli is is turning me into a horrible person,” I admit, and Jols slips her hand in mine, giving it a squeeze.

“You need to cut yourself some slack, Abbey. You’ve been through more shit than most people can handle. If you’re moody because you’re stressed about finding your sister, that’s completely understandable.”

“I told Ringo I was losing respect for him,” I whisper, but Jols hears, straightening to face me.

“And are you?” she asks, and I shake my head.

“No. It was a heat of the moment thing that actually had to do with you and Smitty and… I guess parents who dictate are a trigger for me.”

“You know Ringo would see right through your outburst, right?”

I shrug. “You didn’t see his face. My words… they hurt him.”

“Did you apologise?”

I nod, but then shrug. “Kinda, I guess.”

Her brows shoot up. “What does that mean?”

“It means I told him I didn’t mean it, and we sparred, and then Riggs had to send everyone away so Ringo could… you know… pleasure me, right there on the grass next to the barn.”

Jols throws her head back, laughing. “Abbey, come on. Just say what he did,” she laughs again. “Did he fuck you? Finger you? Eat your pussy? Like what sort of pleasure are we talking about here?”

Even after everything, my cheeks flare to life, burning from the outside in.

“You don’t need to know.”

“Hell yes, I do! I’ve been stuck with just my hand and my imagination. Give me some details, please .”

Giggling, I wave her off, like what I’m about to say is no big deal.

“He used his fingers. It was the first time he slipped them inside since…” I trail off, my smile falling as I think about Bobbi.

“Shit. Yeah, sorry. I didn’t think about that.”

I shrug. “It is what it is.”

“Still… was it good?”

“Oh my God, yes!” I blurt out, making her laugh again.

“Jesus, I hope I’m not around when he finally impales himself in you again. That’s gonna blow your damn mind.”

She wags her brows which has us both cracking up, and I realise how much I’ve missed this. Missed her .

“So, is there any news about your sister?” Jols asks, sinking back into the couch beside me.

“That inside man, Moore, managed to send a text a couple of days ago. Said the word is Minister Banes is still in the Timber Valley district, hiding in plain sight in one of his safe houses. But that’s over four thousand square kilometres of area to search.

I think Ringo was gonna bring it up at church today.

See if Smitty is willing to help put feelers out to his local associates. ”

“I’m sure he will. I know you don’t believe this, but he actually does want to help. This life isn’t easy to wrap your head around when you’re new to it, but you’ll see. Smitty always has a plan, and the club’s best interests at heart. ”

Voices drifting from outside draw our attention, and Jols gets up to peek out the window.

“Church is out.”

I jump up, eager to see how JD’s chat with Smitty went.

Shucking on our coats, we slip outside onto the porch, watching as the men hurry across the yard to a new sheltered carport area where a fire is burning in a steel drum, all of them shoving at each other to get closer to the warmth.

“I can’t remember the last time it was this cold,” Jols whispers, hugging herself.

“Why aren’t they out yet?” I ask, meaning Ringo and JD, since most of the others are already outside.

“Is everything okay in there?” Jols calls to Vender as he hurries towards us with Mex at his side.

“We’ll know soon enough,” Vender grins.

“Yeah, no gunshot means he’s still alive,” Mex chuckles, and my mouth drops open.

“Oh my God. Don’t say that!” I rush out, and Jols waves me off.

“Smitty won’t shoot him.”

“You sure about that?” I ask, catching her eyes, and unease flickers through them.

“Is JD really in there talking to Smitty about me? About us?”

“Yep,” I nod. “I was just gonna sneak you out while church was on, but Ringo shut that idea down.”

Jols scoffs. “Good. You would have gotten yourself killed.” Then she gulps. “Oh man, JD’s gonna get himself killed.”

“Maybe,” I admit, and Vender and Mex both bark out a laugh.

“Abbey, you’re not a very supportive friend right now.” Jols glares at me and I shrug .

“At least you know I won’t lie to you.”

“She has a point, Jols,” Mex grins, leaning against the porch railing.

Jols huffs, her eyes staying trained on the barn door as we all wait, and after a few minutes of conversation involving footy scores, the barn door swings open.

We all straighten, standing taller as we wait for someone to emerge, and finally Smitty and Spud step out first, with Ringo and JD trailing behind them.

“Oh, thank fuck,” Jols sighs, but as JD steps out into the light, even from here we can see a dark trail of blood trickling down his chin. “Jesus.” Jols rushes down the steps, and I follow right behind her.

A bell clangs, and I spot Spud holding an old school handbell, ringing it over and over, drawing the attention from the club brothers huddled under the shelter, while Doxies start streaming out of a couple of the houses.

“What’s happening?” I ask, confused as everyone moves to gather at the front of the barn.

“He’s gonna kill him,” Jols snaps over her shoulder. “That’s what’s happening.”

“Wait… what?” I hurry to catch up to her. “Seriously?”

“Why else would he want an audience?”

I gulp, because shit.

Is she right?

Surely not.

Shoving through the crowd, Jols and I push to the front to find JD standing with Smitty on one side and Ringo on the other, with Spud, who has finally stopped ringing the bell, standing on Ringo’s other side .

My eyes lock onto Ringo’s. He’s staring right at me, his expression cold and unreadable, giving nothing away.

“Sorry about bringing you all out into the cold,” Smitty starts, before jabbing a finger at JD. “But this fucker just copped a knuckle sandwich. Anyone wanna guess why?”

When no one speaks, I open my big mouth.

“Because you wanted him to kiss your arse, and he told you to shove it, so you threw a tantrum?”

Smitty’s glare snaps to me instantly as a few snickers ripple through the crowd, and I hear Ringo mutter a curse as he shoots me a glare of his own.

“Good to see you again, Charity ,” Smitty drawls, using that name on purpose to piss me off, which works, and I grit my teeth, hearing Jols snicker next to me.

“You asked for that,” she whispers.

“Whatever,” I mutter, watching Smitty’s gaze shift to Jols.

“When my stepdaughter started living with the club, you all were told the rules,” he snarls, his voice sounding a little unhinged. “Hands off. She’s off fucking limits!”

A shiver runs up my spine, and not from the cold. It’s the savage note in his tone that has me on edge, and I have to wonder if Jols was right. Is Smitty actually going to kill JD for touching her?

“This fucker must have been hard of hearing!” Smitty hisses, fisting JD’s cut and shoving him to the ground where he crashes to his knees.

Jols and I both gasp, and Ringo moves to step in, but Spud and Tups dart forward, grabbing him and holding him back.

I see red.

My vision tunnels on my husband and the bastards daring to lay hands on him. I lunge forward, but Celina and Casey snatch me by the arms, keeping me back.

“It’ll be better for everyone if you don’t interfere,” Celina whispers in my ear, and I have half a mind to slap her, but freeze when Jols barrels past me.

“Stop this!” she snarls at her stepdad, who just shakes his head.

“Nope. He knew the rules.” His eyes drop to JD, still on his knees, but JD doesn’t look scared at all.

His eyes are glued to Jols, burning with fury that says he’s ready to die for her.

“Tell everyone what you told me in there,” Smitty snarls, and my heart thrashes wildly at knowing this was the wrong way to go about helping Jols.

We should have just kidnapped her and run.

“I told you,” JD snaps, “and I’ll happily tell everyone here now. I want Jolene. She’s mine.”

JD’s words have Jols staggering back a step, while Smitty nods and glares down at him.

“And then you ate my fist, right?”

“Yeah, and you had a right to do that.” JD looks up at his President. “But come on, man. I’m claiming her. I’m making her mine.”

“JD, no,” Jols hisses, stumbling as close as Smitty will allow before he throws a hand up, stopping her cold, and just like that, she freezes.

“Yes, Babydoll.” JD keeps his gaze trained on her. “I fucking am. You’re mine. That’s all there is to it. ”

“Babydoll,” Smitty snarls, the word like poison on his tongue. “You call my daughter, Babydoll ?”

“Stepdaughter,” Jols snaps. “We’re not blood, Smitty. Stop this.”

Smitty shakes his head, eyes burning as he stares JD down. “I’ll give you one chance. Retract your claim and save your life. Otherwise… you die.”

“This has gone far enough!” Ringo roars, thrashing against Spud and Tups, while another big guy steps in to help hold my husband back.

“Hey! Let him go!” I scream, ready to launch myself over there and go crazy bitch on their arses.

“No!” JD yells, breaking through the chaos, getting everyone’s attention.

“I won’t retract my claim. I love her. I loved her before she even knew I was interested.

I’d do anything for her. Even die here today, because I will never retract my claim on her.

She will always belong to me. Even in death. ”

“Oh my God,” Jols gasps, tears streaming as she stumbles forward a step. “Jimmy, no. He’s going to kill you. I’d rather you were alive than live in a world without you! Even if it means we can’t be together!”

The moment the words leave her lips, Smitty cocks his gun, the cold click loud as gasps ripple through the crowd.

I can’t watch this.

I can’t witness someone else I care about die!

Squeezing my eyes shut, I hold my breath, and flinch when the deafening crack of the gun tears through the air, my heart shattering into a million pieces all over again.