Page 10

Jessikah

Sitting around the clubhouse with Tina, Crowne, Maple whose real name is Marla, and Spin whose real name is Cindy and Moose, isn’t making the feeling of being unsafe go away.

“Do you think I should get in contact with R.O.Y.A.L again, and see if they can move me?” I ask the group.

“NO!” they all shout.

“You are safe. Lynx will make sure of it, and if he doesn’t, I will. I know all sorts of ways to dispose of a body,” Crowne states, and all the female’s giggle when Moose snores and then farts loudly in his sleep.

“You need to tell them,” Tina states, as Neo walks into the room, looks at me with narrowed eyes and then heads toward Paul. He says something in his ear; slams stuff down on the bar top and looks at me again.

“Looks like I will be telling everyone tonight.” I sigh, dropping my chin to my chest. “Tina, can you get everyone closer so I only have to tell the story once.” I sense her stand and leave the area we were sitting.

Lifting my head, I look at Maple, Crowne and Spin, and plead, “Please don’t think any less of me once you hear my story.”

Tina comes back and sits on my right. Her husband sits on my left. These two have been my bodyguards for years.

“You need to fess up. What did you do?” Neo growls, causing me to look at him. My breathing begins to pick up.

“Five years ago, my entire life dropped from under me. I was married to man, who turned out to be the local street gangs head honcho. When he wasn’t demanding me to do illegal things, he was forcing me to do things I never wanted to do.

When I wouldn’t do them, he would beat me so bad I’d end up in the hospital.

My longest stay was four weeks.” Tears begin to trail down my face as I told the story of everything that happened to me.

How I met the members of R.O.Y.A.L and how their quick work and network saved me.

I told them for the longest time I was afraid to leave my house, the feeling of being safe never came until I got Moose.

Telling them the day I started as a Mortgage Broker, I was sure I would be safe, because I could do everything from the safety of my office and not have to meet anyone in person.

“So, what changed?” Skoden asked. “Why all of a sudden has he found you?” The question was genuine, and the answer was simple. But the willingness to admit that being good at a job I loved is what might kill me, was an extremely hard pill to swallow.

“Yesterday, Jessikah was named Top Mortgage Broker of the year and highest paid Mortgage Broker of the year, by the Canadian Mortgage Association. She has had her picture on every newspaper and magazine that deals with finances,” Tina states.

Moose’s fur is standing up on his shoulders as he growls low at Neo. It’s a warning to stay away. He must have woken when Neo raised his voice. He has always been able to detect my anxiety.

“Call off your dog,” Neo demands.

“Why the fuck should she?” Tina’s husband shouts, “You came in the room like her being here was a conspiracy. Like she was one of the bad guys. So why the fuck should she call off her dog. Fuck off.”

“You forget where you are. This is my home, not yours or hers,” Neo shouts.

“Take me to your house, please,” I beg Tina . She nods and stands with me, leading me to the door. I know Moose will follow Tina’s husband out.

When we reach their vehicle, she opens the back door and climbs in beside me. Wrapping her arms around me as I finally break. The front opens and I hear Moose’s tags jingle as he jumps in, and then Tina’s husband slams the door.

“Fucking bikers, he curses as he gets in the driver’s side, starting his truck and leaving the lot.

So much for a promise of being protected. It’s time I move on.