Bound and Broken: Claimed by the MC

Chapter 9 - James

"I lost her when she got to some bar, or restaurant, club place," Jackson reports. He's a good prospect, but clearly not very thorough.

"What do you mean?" I ask as I pinch the bridge of my nose. "How do you not know if you were in a bar, restaurant, or club?"

"Sorry Prez, it was kind of like all three. So after you called I went to her place and sat outside, it's a real dump by the way. And honestly not the greatest spot in the city, I'm kind of surprised she lives there. Anyway, she left not long after I got there and I followed her to this place. It was kind of like a strip club, but it wasn't," he rushes to say when I let out an involuntary noise that sounds suspiciously like a growl. "The women there were all dressed, just scantily, and none of them were taking their clothes off. They were dancing, some of them, but not all of them, and not on anyone. There were people eating regular food, and some people just drinking and dancing. It was a place called Midnight Feather."

I sigh, I didn't know any of this. Why haven't I put someone on her like this before? "Okay, I want you to keep following her. Where exactly does she live?"

"She lives on the East End, below 16th."

"Are you f.ucking kidding me?"

"No, Prez."

"S.hit, does Raven know where her friend lives?"

"Uh, I don't know?"

"S.hit, you're right okay. Just stay on her, make sure she stays safe there."

"On it Prez."

I go over some of the financials for a bit longer before I get hungry and head to the kitchen. I run into Doc and Thor on my way there, surprised Raven isn't anywhere around him.

"Heard you got blown off," Doc says by way of greeting.

"f***k off, you guys gossip more than the honeys." They both laugh and Thor claps me on the back.

"Come on, after all the s.hit you guys gave me over Raven. You must have known it would come back to you now that you're the one chasing someone."

"I'm not chasing anyone, speaking of the Old Lady, where is she?"

"She's at the house with Tony. She's making him help decorate for the barbeque tomorrow."

"How'd you get out of that? And how the f***k do you decorate for a barbeque? Don't you just have the d.amn thing?"

"Told her I had to come talk to you, and don't p.isss on her parade. She's never really had this kind of family around her, she wants to make everything special for everyone. She designed our house with you a.ssholes in mind, it's a side to her I didn't know she had, but it's f.ucking amazing."

"Okay, I hear you," I say holding up my hand to him. "No need to get all preachy about it. So what did you need to come talk with me about anyway?"

"The trial is coming up, Raven said they set the date and I wanted to see if you're ready for it?"

"It's ridiculous this s.hit is still hanging over your head, once this trial is over I hope we never hear a thing about it again," Doc tells both of us and Thor nods in agreement.

"I am so f.ucking ready for this s.hit to be over. And I trust your woman to get me off. She's done a bang up job so far. Listen, how much does she know about Ameilia?"

"Why you asking?" he smirks.

"And that's my cue to leave, I was on my way to get some food before this gossiping goose stopped me." Thor and I both look at Doc with the same bewildered looks on our face, before we bust out laughing.

"Did you just f.ucking call me a gossiping goose?"

"f***k off, it's what the nurses say at the hospital, I'm out of here."

"Yeah, yeah see you later goose," Thor yells as Doc flips him off before disappearing into the kitchen.

"Anyway," I bring Thor's attention back to me, Humor me with what you know," his face grows serious at the tone of my voice.

"I mean they're friends, pretty good ones at that. I think they were friendly before your case, not necessarily close, but this has brought them closer. They talk a lot, and have started having out more."

"She know where Ameilia lives? Or if she has another job?"

"I guess I don't know, but I would think so. And there's no way she has another job, she works her tail off for Raven, and at the firm before. And I think Raven mentioned she wanted to go to law school, or pass the bar, or something like that."

"Your ability to listen to your woman should be studied."

"f***k off, I listen to her about important things okay. Sometimes when she starts talking about other people I zone out. Why are you so interested anyway? If you want to go for her, just do it."

"There's something going on with her. I just want to make sure it's not going to blow back on the club."

"Not only are you being transparent as s.hit, but you're also not that much of an a.sshole. She's connected to this club whether you want that or not, and we all know how protective you are over the women connected to this club. You don't just think something is going on do you? You think there's something wrong."

"Maybe you're right. I don't like what Jackson told me. He followed her after the hearing."

"And?"

"She's working a second job at some place called the Midnight Feather, and her apartment is in the East End, below 16th." I nod as Thor lets out a long whistle.

"She's just asking for trouble living there. A pretty little thing like her, I'm surprised it hasn't found her yet. She's coming over for the barbeque tomorrow, she's actually going to be there early to help Raven cook some stuff. Come talk with her then."

"Yeah, yeah, maybe. How was the party outside when you ot here?"

"Like it always is."

"Yeah, I figured," I nod but don't say anything else.

"But it's losing its luster huh?"

"Something like that. I should show my face though, so everyone knows I'm celebrating this with them."

"They know Prez, a lot of s.hit has been going on lately and everyone knows that they have you at their back. If you don't want to party tonight don't do it. Take a load off and join us tomorrow. Why don't you see if you can give your girl a call or text it will settle your mind to know she's alright."

"She's not my girl."

"Whatever, since you're doing okay with the trial thing I'm heading home. I'll see you tomorrow."