CHAPTER NINE

-:- DESTINY -:-

Walking into the Coffee House, I quickly step up to the counter and order a drink before paying and taking a seat near the window. I place my laptop case on the seat next to me and quietly wait for Jolene Waters.

When we spoke on the phone she came across as polite, funny and a little mischievous. I think we’ll work well together if she agrees to the contract.

I made a contract after working with my first three author clients. It was a huge mistake to take them on trust, do all the work I’d agreed to do on my side and then never receive the payment. That’s when I spoke to a lawyer and had a contract written up, and I won’t do a single thing until it is signed.

“Here you are, and I hope you enjoy your drink.”

I thank the lady server and take a sip of the coffee, which is piping hot. The one thing I hate is cold coffee and how anyone drinks it iced I don’t know, as it would have me gagging.

A young lady bustles in through the door and searches the room before quickly stepping toward me and asking, “Are you Destiny? I’m Jolene Waters, but you can call me Jo. Everyone does, and I prefer it.”

“Hi Jo, please take a seat. What would you like to drink?”

Jo, gives me a wave of the hand before turning and shouting, “MY USUAL, FRAN, PLEASE.”

The lady who served me earlier gives a smile and a nod to Jo before quickly turning to make the drink. I look at Jo, who is giving me the largest smile I’ve seen in a long time, and I can’t help the smile I give in return, which hurts my cheeks with it being so long since I last smiled that broadly.

“Okay, let me tell you all that I do. I’ll show you some of the work I’ve completed recently, and then we can go through the contract.” I place myself in professional mode and start my spiel, making sure Jo is understanding everything.

Jo’s drink arrives, and she sips it while listening and now and again asking a question. We look at presentations I’ve organized, events I have been able to get my authors seen at, and my website, blog and other media. All showing clearly what I do for the authors under my business umbrella.

People are coming and going while we are talking. We have a breakfast panini with another drink until Jo has exhausted her questions.

“I’m happy to sign the contract, Destiny. I’ve actually fired my publisher because they were doing nothing for me anymore. They seem to enjoy getting people, helping them start, then leave them floundering. It’s not for me, and I’m looking forward to us working together.”

Jo is so serious I can see whatever happened with the publisher has left her a little raw. “Okay, I want you to take the contract home. Read every word. It’s not a complicated contract, but I want you to take your time. Get someone to look it over with you, then if you are happy, sign and I’ll come and pick it up from you. I’ll then make a start getting you seen on social media, and maybe a book signing or two.”

Hearing Jo’s name, we both look up and see a man alongside a woman walking over and taking a seat. I’m a little surprised, but noticing he has on a leather vest with the biker club logo, I know he’s someone that could help regarding Jerica.

“Hi, Jo, who’s this?” the lady asks, and I give her a smile. She’s pregnant and looks happy about it as she’s rubbing her stomach with a soft smile.

Jo introduces me. “Destiny, this is Axel, the President of the Raging Barons MC, and this is his Ol’ Lady, Mia. This is Destiny, who I’m hoping to be working with in the future.”

Mia gives me a huge smile. “Hi, Destiny. That’s exciting to hear, Jo. What is it you do, Destiny?”

I give a quick run through of what I do for my clients, but I can feel the man’s gaze the whole time, and it’s starting to make me uncomfortable. He must realize and clears his throat, before turning his attention to Mia.

“Where have you two been?” Jo asks, and Mia giggles before replying.

“We’ve just had a scan, and this time I allowed them to tell us what gender the baby is…” looking at Axel, she smirks before throwing her head back and laughing, “A girl, we’re having a girl.”

Axel grunts, and I hear him mumble something like, I’ve gotta get a new knife and a shotgun might be an idea.

“Congratulations,” I quickly say, and pretend I didn’t hear what he’d mumbled.

“Yeah, that’s great to hear, Mia. With the twins and a girl, you’re going to be kept busy,” Jo smiles.

“Don’t think I haven’t thought about that. Someone else is going to be far more ‘hands on’, this time around.” Mia looks sternly at Axel, who has suddenly developed a healthy interest in his boots. “Oh, and can you keep it to yourselves about us having a girl, please? We want to announce it to everyone at once, if we can,” Mia gushes.

I don't really get baby talk since I wasn't really involved when Jessica was a tiny baby. Jerica finally started showing up more than once a year when she needed my help. Passing by the club, I noticed Garrett more often than my sister. He was at the door almost every day when I went to work at the dental practice, where I was a receptionist. A few minutes of catch up and we both knew we were all okay until the next time we spoke.

“Destiny, you listening?” Jo asks, as she taps my hand.

“Sorry, my mind wandered.” I flush with embarrassment as I realize all three of them are looking at me.

“Did you hear Mikala of Silk Sisters Rock has taken her hog to the MC's custom shop? She’s having it serviced and resprayed before a trip around Europe. It’s exciting and I’m going to make sure I see it before she picks it up.” Mia is whispering as she leans over the table so both myself and Jo can hear. There's a look on Axel's face that suggests he's unfazed by this behavior, as if he's seen it before.

“That is exciting. You’ll have to take a photograph so I can see it.” I’m not sure that would be allowed, but felt it was worth asking.

“Oh, for sure I will. I’ll be taking a lot of photographs, and one will be made into a poster which I’ll make sure is pinned to the wall. You got to advertise when you can,” Mia smirks.

“Changing the subject,” Axel says, gaining my attention because he’s not said a word up to this point. “We discussed the situation with Jerica. Of course, we need to know the full picture, but we have looked at her bank records and it seems she is in Oregon. She’s using the same place to get cash, and Destiny, she’s only using the bank you are paying into. The other account with the savings for the house deposit she’s not touched at all.”

The table is silent as they are all watching me, waiting for my reaction to this news, I’m sure. My mind quickly races through the fact Jerica is keeping the money safe for the house they’ll buy when this is over, leaving me with no money saved. I’ve been sending one of my salaries to her, the other keeping myself and Jessica afloat. What sort of sister is that?

“Yeah, that’s about it,” Axel mumbles.

My head snaps up to look at Axel as I realize I just said all that out loud. Maybe not said loudly, but nonetheless, out loud. It feels so deceitful and like a slap in the face.

“Now we know where she is, I’m contacting another MC we are friendly with. I’m going to ask the President to grab Jerica and keep her at his clubhouse. She can work to help pay for her keep. She’s not worked a day while on the run to help keep herself afloat. She’s taken off you without trying to fund herself. I’m not happy about that Destiny, and she’ll be safe with Ryker at the Red Dogs MC clubhouse. When are you speaking with Garrett next?” Axel has his elbows leaning on the table and looking directly at me.

“I’m going to visit on Thursday,” I reply, but with less energy than earlier when speaking with Jo.

“Okay. I’ll send Fist with you. You know and trust Fist, don’t you?”

“Yes, I know Fist. His sister, Carrie, was friends with Jerica for a while. But I see Fist around and he always makes a fuss of Jessica. I’m okay with him tagging along. Maybe he has a vehicle and we won’t have to take the bus.” I’m mumbling the last part more to myself, but my head shoots up and I look at Axel when he chuckles.

“You’ll not be taking the fuckin’ bus. He’ll take the club's SUV or truck, depending on what’s available.” Grinning smugly, Axel continues, “You may have another one along for the ride, ‘cause Rock seems to have taken a shine to you.”

A blush rushes up my neck and into my cheeks. Rock, that’s the one from the Hot Hogs place. The one that kept looking at me intensely. It was downright nerve-wracking because I had no idea what the heck was going on, but it seems he likes me! The table is quiet, I realize, and looking up, three sets of eyes and grinning faces are staring at me. The blush reappears, leading to laughter from Jo and Mia and a headshake from Axel, who also wears a smirk.

“Okay, I have to go, but let me know about the contract, Jo. There is no urgency at my end. You have my contact details, and Fist knows where I live.”

Axel holds his hand out, and Jo hands him the contract, which he starts to read. I pick up my laptop where I’d moved it to lean against my chair leg and stand, giving everyone a smile. “It was great to meet you, Mia. I hope your pregnancy is an easy one. Maybe I’ll see you again sometime?”

“Oh, I’m sure you will.” Mia grins with a look I’m not sure of, but seems to say she knows something that I don’t.

Walking toward the door, I turn when Axel speaks to me again. “Come to the clubhouse tomorrow evening, bring Jessica and have an evening meal with us. We can give you the questions we need you to find out from Garrett. Fist is more muscles than brain at times, so it will be ideal if you hear what answers we need, too.”

“Oh, I’m not sure about that,” I stammer.

“I’ll get Fist to come get you and Jessica. No excuses, Destiny. We know where you live.” Axel is giving me a look that is a little chilling, but when Mia laughs, slaps his bicep, he turns and gives her such a warm sensual look that I turn and get the heck out of here.

In Jessica's bedroom, I'm watching TV later that evening, since we no longer have one in the living room and ask, “Do you want to go to have a meal somewhere tomorrow?”

“Where?” Jessica turns to look at me because we’ve not been eating out to save our money.

“Where Fist lives. We were invited to go for the evening meal with them, and Fist will come fetch us. But if you don’t want to go, that is alright with me,” adding that because I don’t want her to say she wants to go just to make me happy. I’d rather not go if truth be told.

“No, we can go. I like Fist. He’s friends with Momma and Papa.”

“Okay. We need to get home quickly from school so you can have a bath or shower. You’re not going looking like a sack of potatoes.” I tickle her and have her giggling and laughing loudly in no time. We had very little aunt and niece relationship before this, but I can’t imagine not seeing her frequently when this is all done.