Part 4

Jake

Jake followed the SUV through large, ornately decorated gates and up the winding path that led to the house. Only, it wasn’t a house. It looked more like a hotel. He parked his truck next to the SUV, and got out when Hudson did.

Jake was led inside the massive house to a large study. Dominic was typing on his phone and Jake stood in front of the sofa with the other four men. Hudson was whispering something to Cooper and the man chuckled and shook his head.

“Jake Savage, aged twenty-four. You spent five years in prison for a murder you didn’t commit,” Dominic said as he leaned back against his desk, and crossed his arms over his chest.

“That’s correct,” Jake said.

“Yet you didn’t hesitate to kill the man that took my son,” Dominic continued.

“I don’t like it when people fuck with children,” Jake said.

“You have unconfirmed ties with the Road Warriors in Pennsylvania.”

“I have a debt to repay,” Jake said, forcing the memory of Rancid out of his mind.

“And now I owe you a debt as well,” Dominic said.

Jake shook his head. “There is no debt owed. I would’ve done the same for any child.”

“You have my number, Mr. Savage. No matter what you need in future, it will be provided,” Dominic said. “There is no price on my son’s life, nothing I wouldn’t give for his safety. You ensured it today and that debt will remain for as long as I breathe.”

“I appreciate that,” Jake said, knowing that this man wouldn’t take no for an answer. A debt should always be repaid.

“Is there anything you need?”

“No,” Jake said. “Perhaps I’ll give you a call when I really do need help. I have some scores to settle.”

“Consider it done,” Dominic said. “Cooper, I think Mr. Savage can do with some nourishment and rest before he continues on his journey.”

“It’s really not necessary,” Jake said.

“Let me rephrase, get some rest, Jake. You’ll get to your destination eventually, getting there in one piece is critical for all of us. I already know you’re going to be of use to me and I’d like to be of use to you,” Dominic said. 

“I could always show him how much use he can be to me,” Hudson said with a grin.

“Hudson, you already called me pretty and I still didn’t fall for your sweet talk. If anyone’s using anyone, it’ll be me using you. I just got out of prison a month ago. Do you really want to take the chance that I won’t make you bend over to pick up the soap?”

Dominic’s laughter was instant. “Damn, Jake, if you didn’t have somewhere to be, I’d hire you on the spot.”

“Coop, you’re watching my back while I shower tonight,” Hudson said.

“Not a chance, I’m not falling for that one again.”

Jake shook his head, but his smile remained. “Thanks, Dominic, I appreciate the offer, but it’s better if I get going. The sooner I get to Pennsylvania, the sooner I can repay my debt.”

Dominic nodded his head. “Cooper, call Highway Patrol and give them Jake’s plate numbers. He’s in a hurry to get to Pennsylvania. Make sure they don’t stop him on the way.”

“On it, Dominic,” Cooper said, and pulled his phone from his jacket pocket.

Jake watched as Cooper dialed a number and spoke to a man, giving him the details of Jake’s vehicle and relaying Dominic’s instructions to him. Cooper grinned when he realized Jake was watching him and put his phone away.

“It’s done. You can fly down the highway if you want to. Hell, they’ll even give you an escort if you need one,” Cooper said.

“Thank you,” Jake said.

“I’ll be in contact, Jake,” Dominic said.

He smiled again, the feeling of fitting in with these men an odd one. “Not if I’m in contact first.”

Hudson and Cooper walked him out to his truck, and he felt almost reluctant to leave. “You’re one of the good ones, Wrath. I can tell.”

“I’m not a good man, Hudson.”

“Yeah, you are. You might have blood on your hands, but that doesn’t make you a bad man,” Cooper said. “We speak from experience. None of us are good men, but we’re not bad men either.”

Jake slid into his truck and stuck the key in the ignition. “So, you’re saying there’s still some hope out there for me?”

“Depends on what you want, but yeah, there’s always hope, even if you have to shed a little blood to get it.”

Jake huffed out a laugh. “See you around, Hudson, hopefully not too soon.”

Cooper laughed as Hudson grinned. “I’ll wait until you’re settled in, then I’ll come visit you. I’ll take you out one night.” Cooper shook his head at Jake and stopped the minute Hudson turned to look at him. “You didn’t complain.”

“I really don’t want to know,” Jake said, and started his engine. 

“Don’t hesitate to use our numbers, Wrath. You’ve got friends here now,” Hudson said.

He lifted his hand in a wave and drove away from the huge mansion. The gates closed behind him with a solid thud, and he headed back the way he came. He drove past the gas station, the SUV still standing where he’d left it. It looked undisturbed and he wondered how long it would take for someone to find the Chinese man’s body.

It wasn’t his problem anymore. He knew Dominic would watch the situation closely. He wasn’t worried. Jake drove away from the gas station still in a daze. He couldn’t believe that just happened. He wouldn’t be surprised if Dominic Vittori owned the whole state. He didn’t even feel sorry for the Chinese man’s family and he was well aware that they would die. Anyone involved with Saint’s kidnapping would die.

He smiled again as he thought about the boy. He already showed leadership potential, a strong personality, and that same aura of ‘don’t fuck with me’. It would be interesting to watch Saint grow up and evolve into the man he’d be one day, and beware anyone who pissed him off.

A few hours later, he pulled into a motel’s parking lot and slept for four hours. He was back on the road again just before midnight, and he knew this time he wouldn’t stop until he’d reached Reading, Pennsylvania, his final destination. It was a fresh start, but he’d seen the email from John earlier. The house was his and the keys were waiting for him in the mailbox. Other than the truck, it was the first thing he could call his own. A home.