Page 10 of The Biker’s Second Chance (Chrome Creed MC #2)

ONE CALL AWAY

JAYNE

I t’s cold.

Unfortunately, it’s not because of the thermostat in the room, it’s because there’s no one in this bed with me.

I squeeze my eyes shut and force out a deep breath through my nose. I know I shouldn’t be mad. Shouldn’t be upset that he is trying to keep his distance, but at the same time, I feel like he’s not the only one who should be angry.

“No, no, no, don’t go down this path.” I reprimand myself. Doing my best to push these feelings to the back of my mind, I pull back the sheets and place my feet on the ground. It’s warm, the sunlight is beaming in.

Suddenly, a shadow passes over my toes and I jerk my feet up out of the way as if that is going to be enough to stop whatever monster is waiting for me just outside.

My heart hammers in my chest and I tiptoe in the direction of the window. I only let a small wisp of air push out of my lips as I grab hold of the very edge of the drape and slowly pull it back just enough to see who is outside.

All the stress drops out of my body when I see the back of the man standing outside. He must have noticed that the drape moved because he turns to look over his shoulder. It’s Zero.

Of course, he’d still be here. I saw when he showed up last night, but I didn’t think that he’d be the one to be with me all night.

Somehow, this feels like it should be Spike’s job.

I know we aren’t together anymore, but he isn’t even acting like he cares if I live or die.

I mean, he gave my protection detail to a prospect.

Building up my courage, I grab for the door and step out into the sun.

My skin soaks up the vitamin D.

“You need something?” Zero grumbles as I come to a stop next to him.

“No, I was just coming to check on you.” I give him a tight smile that he doesn’t return.

God, trying to be nice with this man is just like pulling teeth.

“So…” I let the word drag in the air.

“What?” he snaps at me.

I cringe backward. I guess the whole club is on the let’s hate Jayne train. I can take the hate. It’s not going to change who I am in the least. I know why I walked out. If Spike decided not to tell them all what really happened with us, I’m not going to be the one to bring it up.

“Nothing, I was just wondering how you were doing. You couldn’t have gotten much rest out here all night.”

His shoulders slump a little and his face softens. He’s trying to be hard because that is what he was told to do. I can tell just from his mannerisms that he’s not really angry with me.

“It’s okay. I’m sure someone will come to relieve me in a little while.” He shrugs.

“Still, do you want some coffee or something? I think there’s a portable machine in here.” I gesture with my thumb over my shoulder.

“God, that would be so good.” He groans, and I chuckle at his reaction.

“Okay, give me a second.”

Quickly, I go back into the room and find the one-cup Keurig machine.

Thankfully, all of the K-pods look to be fresh and not used.

I make myself and him a cup of coffee. It’s not the best coffee I’ve ever made, but it’ll get the job done.

By the time I come back out front to bring him the coffee, I can see just how tired he is.

This may be the only time that I’ll be able to talk to him and he’ll have his guard down. I shouldn’t really be worried about it, but I’m curious.

“So how are things at the club? It’s been a while since I’ve been there for longer than five seconds.”

“Pretty good. I can’t really complain. We had some issues recently, but nothing we couldn’t handle.” Zero answers openly.

“That’s good. So your prospect ride should be almost over by now, no?”

“Yeah, a few more months, and if everything goes how it’s supposed to, I’ll be a fully patched member.”

“I bet you’re excited about that.” I pat his arm lightly and he gives me a wide smile.

“Hell yeah, finally off shit duty.” He jokes, but then his face falls when he realizes shit duty also includes being my guard for the night. “I didn’t mean it like that,” he says quickly.

“Don’t worry about it. I’m sure this wasn’t supposed to be your job in the first place.”

He grunts and takes a sip of his coffee.

“Spike. How is he doing? Really.”

“This is probably the angriest I’ve ever seen him.” Zero shakes his head before taking another sip of the hot liquid.

“He’ll be okay. I mean, he’s not going over the edge, is he?” I wonder out loud. Could my presence be more than he can take? I don’t want him to lose all he’s worked for because I’m here.

“I don’t know. That’s something you’re going to have to talk to Spike about.” Zero’s shoulders start to hunch back up. I’m pushing too far, and I know it, but I just need to know.

“But what do you think? Is he going to be okay?”

“Like I said, talk to him. I can’t say.” He looks away from me, back toward the front of the motel. “Actually, maybe you should get back in the room. I don’t think you’re supposed to be outside at all.”

And just like that, the conversation ends. I’m not going to get any more out of Zero today.

“You’re right. Well, let me know if you need anything.” I give him another soft smile, but this time he doesn’t even acknowledge it.

With a sigh, I turn on my heel and make my way back to the room. I hate that I’m the cause of so much strife. This wasn’t what I planned on in the first place.

I don’t know what Spike’s plan is, but I know I’m going to go out of my mind with boredom soon if I don’t find something to do. My eyes drift over the small TV that is set up on the one dresser. I don’t really want to watch TV, but there’s nothing else for me to do.

Just as I’m searching for the remote control, I hear a faint buzz coming from somewhere in the room.

It’s my phone. I look over to the small nightstand where I’m sure I put it last night, but it’s not there.

As the buzzing continues, I search for my phone. I breathe a sigh of relief when I find it right on the side of the nightstand. I must have knocked it over in my restless sleep. I look at the screen of the phone and see a number I don’t recognize.

This could be Xavier.

Fear rockets through my body for a second as I contemplate whether or not I’m going to answer.

Fuck this. I’m not going to let this man determine how I live my life.

I quickly slide the icon on my phone to answer and put it to my ear.

“Hello? Jayne?”

A woman’s voice speaks.

“Yes? Who is this?”

“Oh thank God. I was starting to think this was the wrong number.”

“Who is this?” I ask again.

The woman sniffles, and it’s only then that I realize whoever it is is crying on the other line.

“This is Tessa. We met a week ago when you came to the apartment.”

Instantly, I remember the girl. She was one of the women who was held captive in that hellhole. She had one of her fingers cut off.

“Yes, yes, I remember. Are you okay?”

“No, I want to get out of here. I want to leave, but I’m scared. I don’t have anywhere to go. Can you help me?” The desperation in the woman’s voice is palpable.

“Yes, I’ll come help you.” The words are out of my mouth before I have a chance to think about them.

“Okay. I’ll be at the laundromat, down the block. Do you remember the one?”

There’s only one laundromat in the vicinity. I remember being upset simply because it was so small, and every time I went there the machines were all full and I’d have to wait to use one.

“Yes, give me a little while and I’ll be there. Don’t worry.” I do my best to ease her, but I know my words aren’t going to have the effect I want them to. This woman is scared for her life and she’s reaching out to me for help.

I have to go help her.

She hangs up the phone, and I’m instantly hit with my next problem. There’s no way that Zero is going to just let me walk out the front door. He’s been told not to.

I can’t call Spike, he’s going to give me the same story. I’m going to have to sneak out of here.

Without making much noise, I look around the room for an exit, but the only windows in the main area lead out to the front where Zero is.

I make my way to the bathroom and see there’s a small window that leads out to the back.

This is my only option. It’s going to be tight, but I think I can squeeze through.

The window itself must not have been opened for a very long time, because by the time I get it open, I’m sweating profusely.

Once I know it’s open and that I’ll be able to get out, I rush back to the room and slip on my shoes, grab my phone and wallet. I’ll come back for the rest of my stuff after I get done with this.

I’m nervous, mostly because I know I’m doing something I shouldn’t be doing. Still, helping Tessa is more important.

Slowly, I squeeze myself into the opening of the window. I have to shuffle from side to side, the space is so small.

I drop my things right out the window so I can have my hands free.

At first, I think I’m hallucinating it, but right as I get halfway through the window, I hear the one thing I don’t want to hear.

The rumble of a motorcycle engine.

“Shit! Shit! Shit!” I try to force myself through, but it’s no use. I’ll break the window before I make it.

The rumbling stops a few feet away from me and I slowly look up.

Spike’s angry face is glaring right at me.

So much for a speedy getaway.