CHAPTER NINETEEN

-:- DESTINY -:-

Arriving at school, I walk inside with Jessica and ask to speak to the principal. The woman who I ask isn’t thrilled with my request, but I give her a quirk of the eyebrow to show she has a choice. She either gets the principal or I kick up a fuss.

The woman huffs, then walks away to hopefully get the principal. I look down at Jessica and give her a reassuring smile. “Go to class, and I’ll see you later. I have put the spare mobile phone in your backpack and if you need me, I’ll come get you.”

“Okay, Aunt D.” I kiss the top of her head before watching her skip down the corridor.

“Miss. Portess, how can I help?” The middle-aged principal asks.

“Good morning, Mrs. Belesky. I would like to know if you have relaxed the school's bullying policy?” I’m giving her such an innocent look as I ask the question.

“Follow me to my office. We can discuss what is wrong.”

I take a steadying breath and follow, taking the seat she points at in front of her desk, and wait for her to take her seat before looking at me once more.

“Okay, let me assure you that the bullying policy is still in place, and from your question, I assume Jessica is having a problem?”

“Yes. That boy Acton Philpott keeps saying despicable things to her. But worse, he keeps kicking her when they have to sit near each other, and he pinches her, leaving bruising. I’m not happy and if I have to take this further, I will.”

Now, I’ve seen the bruises on Jessica, and she’s done her best to hide them. But when she puts her pajamas on she can’t hide them from me. I’ve said nothing to her because she is so embarrassed, and she looks as though she’s going to cry each time I look at them.

“I will look into this, Miss. Portess and I will speak to his parents. His mother usually picks him up, so I will try to speak to her this afternoon.” Standing, I hold my hand out and shake hands with Mrs. Belesky before I make my way out of the school and grounds.

I’m hoping this will be the end, but I have a feeling it’s not going to be that easy. I’ve seen Acton’s mother watch him bullying kids leaving school, before they reach the parent or guardian waiting for them. I’ll have to be ready for her because I have a feeling we will come head-to-head.

As I’m walking home, I think about the training I had on Saturday with Winter, and I have to admit to myself I’m hopeless. I scared myself half to death, never mind Winter, who had to take cover. I’m not sure about doing anymore lessons, I think I’m more of a liability than anything else. But I have a feeling Rock will have something to say when I next see him.

Back home, I quickly email Jo, giving her all the information on the book signing. I also offer to go along with her if she needs support. She has a lot of ladies at the club who I’m sure will want to go with her, well, at least one of them will, so I’m not giving it any more thought.

Tapping the table, my mind runs through what I need to do next, and as it’s that time of the month I need to get invoices to all my authors. I don’t have any trouble with most of my authors. I send the invoice and on the last day of the month they send the payment. Only one gives me trouble, and I’m thinking it’s time to put her on notice that she pays the invoice on time, or she finds another to assist in her venture.

It doesn’t take me long to get the invoices sent. Next, I work on Jo’s campaign. I love the start of working with a new author. It’s just as exciting to me as I hope it is to them. I place the Amazon advertisement, then move on to Facebook, Instagram, X, and follow through with the book bloggers I enjoy working with.

Quickly sending an eBook copy to the bloggers, I know I’ll receive emails giving me the confirmation of receipt and an idea of the date they hope to get the reviews on their blogs.

I’m a little surprised when I get messenger pop up from the ‘Books for Bitches’ blogger. Now, Julietta is a great blogger. She never lets me down, and she’s always the first one I send to.

Julietta: OMG, Jolene Waters, you got Jo. I can’t wait to read this. Fkg aweSOME.

Destiny: Yeah, I did. You seem a little excited!

Julietta: A little excited!!! What the hell girl, I love this author. I can’t wait to read and review this. Talk soon, bye-D-bye.

A giggle escapes at Julietta’s enthusiasm, and if that’s how she reacts, I hope others will too.

I work for the next three hours, which pass fast. I often lose myself in my work, that’s when I am in my professional mode. My confidence is high when I’m working. I know what I’m doing, and I know I do it well.

Jumping up when I realize time is passing, I pack everything away and get the chicken out of the fridge. I hurriedly cube it, roll it in the marinade powder and place it in saran wrap before popping it back in the fridge. I’ll throw that in the wok later and it’ll be an easy meal.

Rushing upstairs, I grab the laundry basket from the bathroom, check Jessica’s room for anything she’s left on the floor, which is a bad habit I’m breaking her from, before heading to the utility room and filling the washing machine.

My phone starts to ring in the kitchen, so I rush and grab it before it stops. “Hello, Destiny speaking.”

“Dest, it’s Garrett. I’m sorry for taking you by surprise, but I booked a call, as I wanted to know if you’ve had any contact with Jerica?”

“Hi Garrett. Yes, Jerica called me after I texted her and said I was cutting off the money from my second job. She wasn’t happy with me and demanded I send her more money. If you need to know more, speak to Fist.”

“Can you arrange Fist or one of the MC brothers to contact me, please? I’m so sorry for leaving everything in your lap. It’s not fair and I know that, but I don’t know what else to do.” Garrett is family to me, and I feel more-so than my actual sister.

“I’ll do anything I can to help you, Garrett. You’re my family, the same as Jessica. I’ll speak to Fist or Rock and ask them to contact you. I have blocked Jerica. I don’t need the nasty remarks and demands.”

“How is Jessica?”

“I had to take her to the emergency room, and it turned out the arm still had a hairline fracture. She has a compression bandage on, but it is due to be taken off. Jessica said her arm isn’t hurting her anymore, so I think it’s safe to remove. I’ll ask Stitch, the MC’s medic, to look or have another x-ray taken, to be sure.” Rubbing my forehead because more cash for x-rays is going to put me in debt.

“Are you using the Blue Cross Blue Shield coverage?” Garrett asks.

I’m shocked. “I didn’t even know about it, Garrett. Jerica has said nothing. In fact, she hasn’t even asked about her daughter.” I spit out, feeling all the disgust for my sister that I can muster.

“Fuckin’ hell. I’ll make this right when I get out of here, Dest.”

“Garrett, don’t worry. I’m looking after Jessica. I’ve paid her medical bill.” I don’t, however, tell him it’s used up all of my savings.

“Sometimes I wish I’d met you first, Dest.” Garrett murmurs, and I’m not sure if he meant to say that, but I don’t acknowledge it.

“I’ve got to go Garrett, it’s time for me to get Jessica from school. If you need anything, I’ll get it for you, and bring it.”

Garrett sighs, “I’m okay for now. Tell Jessica I love her, and take care of yourself too, Dest.”

I feel uneasy with the conversation, but I’m sure Garrett didn’t mean what he said. It was just a moment of weakness because of Jerica being such a selfish bitch. She is earning herself a slap when I see her for the sole reason she didn’t ask me how her daughter is. She’s not once asked about having the cast removed, how I’m paying for it, or anything.

Checking the time, I have to rush or I’m going to be late to meet Jessica coming out of school. My legs are throbbing by the time I stop outside the school. I see Acton’s mother giving me dirty looks, along with her clan of bitches. I’m ready for her if she wants to cause a ruckus. Bring it, I’m thinking, because I’m still simmering while thinking of Jerica.

“Some people need to let kids sort things out for themselves,” I hear.

I turn to look at the Coven of Bitches as I think of them. “You okay with having a son who bullies little girls? That says a lot about you and your family. It also says a lot about how Acton is going to be as he grows up, a bully who will get what’s coming at some time or another. Hmmm?” I couldn’t resist the hum at the end.

“How dare you?”

“Oh, I dare Mrs. Philpott. I have no problem calling out bullies or their parents. He is a child and you are the one as a parent to teach him manners, and to make sure he grows into a well-rounded individual.”

Screeching and throwing herself at me takes me by surprise for a moment, but her grabbing my hair and pulling it as though we are in school ourselves not only shocks me, but the bitches she had been standing with.

Now, I’m not a fighter, but I’m not going to stand here and allow anyone to attack me. I swing my arm and smack her full in the face, which has her release my hair to hold her face. My red-headed temper is at the front, and I’m ready to throw myself at this bitch, but I know that it’s the wrong thing to do.

“I’ve got that on video on my phone.” Someone says, and turning I see one of the other kids' mothers holding her cell phone in the air. “You want to press charges? I got the evidence. Seems the son is like the mother.”

The kids are running out of school, and I quickly tidy myself, turn to the bitch and snarl. “You sort your son out or I’ll call the Sheriff.” But I’m going to speak to Rock, see what he can do. I give Jessica an enormous smile and a hug when she comes running to me, and I kiss the top of her head and give another look at Mrs. Philpott.

Looking again at Jessica, she has a mark on her face. “Who did that?”

Jessica’s eyes well with tears and looks at Acton, who is grinning back at us. I, however, look at his mother, and she smacks him around the back of his head before dragging him away.

Jessica is quiet when we get home and she’s not her usual bubbly self. I don’t want to drag her through what happened at school today, so I send her off to the bedroom to watch TV. I clean up from our meal and ready myself for an evening of weapons training with Rock at the club compound.

Rock said he would pick us up, and with that in mind I get Jessica out of her school clothes, and into something more playtime. If she’s going to spend time with the Three Stooges, I’m sure they’ll get her dirty with either the garden or cooking. She always comes away from them dirty and tired. I can’t wear her out no matter what I do, but those three manage it every time she sees them.

Knocking at the door signals Rock’s arrival. Letting Jessica rush to the door and stand on the chair I've provided; she looks more like her old self when she sees Rock.

“Aunt D. It’s Rock. Can I open the door, please?”

“Yes, you can let him in.”

“Hi, Rock. How are you today?” Jessica asks before he’s through the door.

When he bends down to pick her up, I see him looking at the mark on her face. “I’m very well, thanks for asking.”

Before he can ask her about the mark, I look at him and shake my head furiously. “Well, we’re all ready to go. Let’s see what mischief Jessica can get up to while we’re in the compound.”

Walking past Rock, who’s still carrying Jessica like she’s made of china, I reach up and give him a light kiss on the lips, which surprises me and him.

We share some small talk while we drive to the clubhouse, and as soon as we pull up, Jessica jumps out of the vehicle and as she runs off shouts, “See y’all later, Mr. and Mrs. Rock.” Amelia, who has been at the clubhouse door, obviously waiting for Jessica, busts out laughing. I guess that will be all around the clubhouse when we’re done.

As we walk up the compound, I tell Rock the story of what happened at the school, and send him the video to his phone. I see him getting angrier the more I tell him and wonder if this was such a good idea.

Suddenly, Meat and Star are calling us over to a bench set up in the middle of the compound. When I reach the table, I can’t help my jaw dropping as I gaze at such an array of weapons. It looks like a museum display of weapons from medieval times to modern day, and from every continent.

Star is gushing and talking so fast I can’t understand a word she’s saying. She might even be speaking another language because I don’t recognize half the words she’s throwing at me.

Rock and Meat must realize this, as they just stand there laughing hard. Eventually, Star stops and looks expectantly at me while pointing to the table. Picking up the first thing to hand, I find myself holding a boomerang.

“Okay. Throw it as hard as you can,” says Star.

Stretching my arm as far back as I can, I throw the darn thing as hard as I can. It travels at least six feet in the air before dropping and sticking in the ground.

Star claps and gives me a high five. “Okay, so we’ll go for the spear.”

Passing me what looks like something from Africa with a big black head and spikes out the side, I try to hold it ready to throw. The freaking thing is so top heavy that I’m holding it with both hands. Meat takes it off me and states, “Like this.” He launches the spear and it sails through the sky like a cruise missile and sticks in a tree trunk.

Star goes all gooey-eyed at her man as if he’s just saved the world and kisses him on the cheek. She grabs a crossbow and fires the bolt into the same tree.

Meat hands me a bow and a single arrow. The bow is almost as tall as I am and is made from beautifully grained wood. I’ve never shot a bow, fired a bow, or even held a bow, but I know the idea. Put the blunt feathery bit of the arrow on the string, rest the shaft on the fingers of the hand holding the bow. So far, so good. Then hold the left arm out straight, pull the string back. Yeah, pull the string back…

What..The…Fuck! I’m straining like a cow elephant giving birth to triplets, and the darn string isn’t moving more than a couple of inches. Rock takes the bow and arrow from me and places them back on the table.

Handing me an actual weapon, a pistol this time and a full magazine, he makes sure I do the necessary safety checks, load the magazine and then points to a target so close I could throw a pebble and hit it.

Taking the stance that Winter taught me and holding the weapon in both hands, I line up the sights on the target and blow its head off. Well, in my mind, I blow its head off. In the real world, clods of earth spurt up all over the compound and not one within ten feet of the target.

Meat reaches over and takes the now empty weapon from me. Passing me a rifle, I can’t hold the thing level long enough to aim at the target. It feels like it weighs a ton and I just can’t raise it, hold it, aim it, let alone pull the trigger, and hope to hit anything.

Rock takes the weight of the barrel as though it were resting on something. Looking down the sights, I adjust until the target is dead center. Pulling the trigger, the rifle jumps out of my hands, hits me squarely on the shoulder and is left dangling in Rock's hand.

Frustration overwhelms me, and I scream at the top of my voice. Scooping up the first thing to hand, I scream again and rush at the target like a banshee. Reaching the target, I beat the ever-lovin’ shit out of it. Only when the head and shoulders are totally obliterated, do I stop and look at my handiwork.

Grinning like someone that just won an Olympic gold medal, I walk back to Rock. “Get me a pair of these. I’ll take on the fucking world and come out on top.” Handing him a butcher's cleaver, I head back to the clubhouse for a desperately needed drink.

From behind me I hear Star shouting, “That’s my girl. You’re awesome. You’ll do for me,” and Meat gives me three cheers. I don’t think I’ve ever heard him do anything but grunt, never mind cheer.

Walking into the common area, Mia and Axel look over as I pass to the bar and ask. “How did you get on, Dest?”

“Awesome,” I respond, but think, ‘who the fuck am I kidding?’