“Jackson, why aren’t you nervous about all of this?” This blows my mind that he’s not scared. A black panther was killing Bobby, not even thirty minutes ago.
“I wish I could explain it to you right now, but in due time,” he states, shuffling toward the door. “I’m locking the door. Please, don’t go anywhere. If you do,” he glides over to the counter in the kitchen, writes something down, and then searches a couple of drawers. “Here is a key, the code to the outside door, and my phone number if you need me.”
“Thanks. I don’t have a cell phone to get a hold of you, but I’m sure I’ll be fine. I think I’m going to take a nice hot bath and maybe watch some television if you’re okay with it.” Jackson disappears into his bedroom and comes back out.
“Here is a prepaid cell phone that you can have. My number is programmed in it along with Chaotic Twister.” He hands me a flip phone. “The bathtub in my master is better, so you can use it. There are towels in the closet in there. Use whatever you need to.” Jackson leaves, and I hear the lock click.
I let out the breath I’ve been holding as I shake my head to clear my thoughts.
His bathroom is enormous, and the tub is the jacuzzi kind. After finding a couple of towels and some hotel-style shampoo and conditioner to use, I fill the tub with hot water and take the time to get undressed. I slide into the tub, and the water envelopes me, burning my skin, reminding me that I’m still alive. I haven’t had a hot bath in I don’t know how long. I slide under the water, feeling like a mermaid. Searching around the tub, I find and turn on the jets. I feel so relaxed and start to fall asleep.
I don’t know how long I’ve been in the tub, but the water has turned cold, causing me to shiver. Getting out, I head to the shower to wash my long brown hair. Once I’m done with that, I get dressed and wrap a towel around my head before returning to the main part of the apartment.
Jackson still isn’t back, and I realize he’s been gone for two hours. My stomach growls, and I chuckle. I scour his kitchen for food, but he barely has anything in it. Eventually, I manage to find a sleeve of crackers to nibble on and get a glass of water to drink.
I flip through the channels when I hear the lock clicking, and fear fills me. I scan my surroundings for something in case it’s not Jackson coming in.
“I brought some burgers and fries,” Jackson yells before coming in, and I sigh in relief. “There’s a bat under the couch just in case you need to use it. That remote in your hand won’t be any good.” He chuckles and locks the door. “I always lock the door even when I’m here. I hope that’s okay.”
“Yeah, that’s good.” I know he’s a member of the local MC, and the stories I hear about them are pretty frightening.
“I didn’t know what you liked on your burger, so I got them plain with everything on the side. You can make it how you want.”
“Thanks for this. I’m starving.” I start eating, and Jackson sits on the opposite side of the couch. “I hope you don’t mind that I’m watching a Hallmark movie.”
“I didn’t even know I had the channel. When I moved in here, I grabbed a package and never looked back. As long as it had the sports package, I was good.” He chuckles, and we watch the movie in silence.
It isn’t long before I’m yawning. Glancing at the time on the cell phone, I realize it’s been about three hours since Jackson came home.
“I need to head to bed. I have to work in the morning.” I stand up and gather my garbage. “I have to leave early so I can go grab my bag with my uniform and clean clothes.”
“You’re more than welcome to stay here for as long as you want. I’m not here a lot because I usually stay at the clubhouse.”
“I don’t want to put you out or anything,” I remark, overthinking everything. I’m almost positive he made the comment about the clubhouse for my benefit.
269
Jackson Hughes
“You’re not. I promise,” I tell her as I sit here, watching her clean up.
“While that beast is out there, do you mind staying here with me?” she requests, and I inwardly smile. Little does she know, she asked the beast in.
I was born this mythical, magical creature who can transform into a panther at a moment’s notice. I try not to let the beast control me, but my emotions tend to override my brain at times, much like tonight.
The Dark Leopards MC is a regular motorcycle club, but we are all supernatural creatures known as shifters. The president and vice president of my chapter are leopards with high ranking members being leopards as well while the rest of the members and prospects are a variety of cats. There are chapters all over Michigan and Texas. We are powerful and strong, as Bobby found out tonight.
When I left my apartment, I went to clean up Bobby’s body before anyone noticed it. I was surprised that it was left untouched, but then again, I tried to kill him behind the bushes.
Now, I’m off to find Tyson. I know that I’ll get into trouble for what I did on impulse, but he will understand. Polly is mine, and I need to keep her mine. I’m hoping Tyson is still at the bar, so I ride my Harley over there. I nod to the prospect guarding the door. Tyson is over in the corner booth, where the officers sit when they watch over the place.
I ask for a beer from one
