All Chapters of Wrath: Chapter 51 - Chapter 60

JakeIt was just after 4 a.m. when they drove out in Dominic’s SUVs. Bikes would be too loud and the Night Stalkers would hear them coming from a mile away. He sat next to Dominic in the back with Hudson and Cooper in the front. Hudson had barely wiped the blood from his face before they all left the clubhouse.Trick and Dagger refused to take no for an answer and they were in an SUV with Ethan and Austin. Dominic had brought an arsenal with him, but Jake had his own stash of rifles and ammunition that he’d added to the stockpile.The SUVs were parked half a mile from the rail yard and the air tasted of iron and something gritty. The promise of rain lingered in the air and fog snaked between rusted shipping containers as they made their way forward on foot. The distant hum of freight engines vibrated through the ground, steady like a heartbeat. Sodium lights flickered overhead, throwing long shadows across the wet gravel. The men fanned out automatically as they neared the rail yard,

JakeFor the first week, Klara didn’t leave her house, and neither did Jamie. He watched her house, feeling like a stalker. He left groceries on her porch, but she never answered the door when he knocked. He couldn’t just let go, no matter what she said. He was too invested, cared too damn much, and he was gutted.He didn’t blame her, not for anything, not even for hating him. He deserved every ounce of her hate, because she was right. It was his fault. He wasn’t sure if he could ever win her back, but he’d keep trying. He’d do whatever he could to make her life easier. He’d changed the locks on her doors, put alarm sensors on her windows and installed cameras everywhere. There was nothing more he could do. He sent her two texts every day, but they remained unanswered. He could see she read them, but she never replied. Three weeks after the incident, Jake sat in his office and read through his emails. One email in particular caught his attention. He wasn’t sure who it was from, but i

JakeHis eyes snapped open, the rain beating against the windows sounding unfamiliar as his eyes focused on the ceiling. Memories from the day before went through his mind, the mattress beneath him too soft to be his own. He turned his head to the side, the light blue curtain not his either. He sat up gingerly, wincing at the pain in his side.‘Fuck,’ he thought to himself. He’d passed out in a strange woman’s bed. For all he knew, the police were in the living room, waiting for him, or maybe someone worse. His clothes were folded on top of a dresser and he pulled his jeans on. His T-shirt smelled like washing powder and he frowned as he pulled it over his head. His leather jacket wasn’t there, but he pulled his boots on and opened the bedroom door.He stopped in the hallway that opened up to the kitchen on one side. The woman from last night stood in front of the stove, singing softly to herself as she fried bacon. She turned her head and smiled when she saw him.“You’re awake, that’

JakeDays turned into weeks and things were quiet. Dominic sent him a few jobs, easy marks, but things in town were peaceful. Trip sent an email requesting a meeting of the immediate club presidents and requested Wrath’s presence as well. Klara had gotten her job at the diner back and Jamie was enrolled in a holiday daycare program for the summer. He didn’t see them often, mainly arriving at home or leaving, and he’d left it alone. There was no point in trying to change things. It had been six months since their kidnapping and that specific Saturday, he was working on his truck. He heard the footsteps and waited, his head still buried in the hood of his truck.“Hi, Jake.”He moved into view and smiled. “Hey, Jamie.”“Is it okay if I’m here?”“Does your mama know you’re here?”“She said not to bother you,” he said, looking down.“You’re never a bother, little buddy.”Jamie smiled brightly. “I miss you.”Jake stepped away from the truck and went down on one knee. Jamie flung himself in

JakeHe’d just gotten out of the shower and pulled a pair of sweatpants on, when there was frantic knocking on his door. He pulled the front door open with a frown, already having seen on the camera system who it was. He couldn’t fathom why she was there, banging on his door. They weren’t friends or even acquaintances any more.“Whitney?”Relief flooded her eyes. “I’m so glad you’re here. I need to talk to you.”He widened the front door and stepped to the side, letting her walk inside. She stepped into the living room and looked around. Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes darted around the room, almost like she was worried about something.“Is something wrong?”She turned to look at him, her bottom lip trembling a little, and then she flung herself into his arms. She wrapped her arms around him tightly and for a few seconds, he just stood there, his arms at his sides. She didn’t feel familiar, didn’t smell familiar, and none of it made sense.“I thought he loved me,” she whispered.