Page 30 of Fury

“In the last couple of weeks, I’ve driven more people into a fury like that than I would ever have thought possible. It’s not how I got my name, but it seems appropriate, now more than ever.”

“They wouldn’t get so angry at you if they didn’t care. I suppose that’s a positive.” She shrugs and looks away again.

“I haven’t made you so angry though. That’s a negative.” I say it to lighten the mood, but am stunned, yet again, at the reaction I generate.

“What? You did not just say that to me?” Pushing herself away from the wall, she storms over to me and I quickly brace myself for yet another slap or punchbag moment. “You have made me so angry so many times, you jerk. I could have given you a lethal injection and made it look like a natural death so many times I can’t count them. I thought we had something special going on. I thought you were the one. I thought, I thought, I thought…” all the while poking me in the chest, and not gently, “and all the time you were just screwing around, and not just with me. That skank that’s been around the block more times than a garbage truck, for heaven’s sake. How could you?”

As she stops to draw breath, I say quietly, “I didn’t think I was good enough for you. You are so much better than me. A better person, a better job, just everything so much better.”

“What do you mean, better?”

“Better. You deserve so much more than I am or can give you.” She stops jabbing me, but her finger is still pushed deep into my chest, and she has sharp nails, I notice.

“You stupid, freakin’ asshole. That’s for me to decide, not you. If I’m happy with whatever the hell you are, that’s my choice. I thought you were everything I wanted, needed, or desired. You had no right to take that away from me.” Seeing the tears run down her cheeks, I risk putting my arms around her, bracing myself in case I’ve made another wrong assumption.

“We go no further until you’ve had a full medical and have a clean bill of health, do you hear me?” Her voice is muffled by my chest, but I get the meaning loud and clear.

The door opens and Whack stands there, with Molly and Breaker close behind. “Well, Molly,” says Whack, “I have to hand it to you. You were right on the money. If I ever have a relationship issue, if I ever have a relationship, of course, I’ll be sure to sign up for your classes.”

Chapter 17

*~* Jamie *~*

Back home, after running the gauntlet of the brothers at the clubhouse, we are sitting in the kitchen and I’m tired now that the adrenaline has run its course. The brothers cheered and boot-stomped when we left the shed and tried to head home. Molly, Bri and Marcia accosted me, wanting all the details. Bri and Marcia immediately assumed that we'd done the dirty deed while making up in the shed. How gross would that have been? So, I quietly pointed out that he wasn’t getting anywhere close to doing that until Tom or Simon had given him the all-clear.

Unconsciously glancing up, I saw Floss giving me an evil stare from the kitchen. She quickly dropped her eyes and moved away. She was only doing what the club women do, but even then, you’d think there would be some girl code amongst them.

Fury got mobbed by the brothers, and there were lots of ‘about time’, ‘at last’ and other comments to go with a back slap from each. I noticed he had a satisfied smirk going on, along with a healthy flush on his cheeks.

“So, what happens now, Fury?” I ask him while I still have enough left in the tank to argue if necessary.

“Well, Smoker will get the windscreen replaced, but it will take a few days. That won’t be easy to come by.”

“Not with the truck, you asshole. With us, damn it.”

“Oh. I thought we were good now. With stupidity behind us, we were moving on. Am I wrong?” He watches me closely for my reaction.

“No, you’re not wrong, but we can’t just carry on as though nothing happened either. If you’re saying I’m the one, then I had better be the only one. I meant what I said about getting physical, too. Nothing of mine, or yours, is getting touched until I know there are no hitchhikers or nasty viruses lurking anywhere on your person.”

“I would never have gone with anyone that wasn’t clean, Jamie.”

“Clean? You think that a skank like her can be classed clean? I can’t have this conversation right now. Let yourself out when you’re done, but make sure the door is secured when you do.” Standing from the table, I notice he hasn’t made a move. “When I said, ‘when you’re done’, I meant you are done. Time for you to leave.”

“No. I’m not going anywhere. I’m staying to keep you safe. This thing isn’t over, and whoever it is has upped their game by taking shots at you. I’m staying close to you from now on.” Fury raises his eyebrows as if I hadn’t considered this already.

“Well, you haven’t exactly been my protective fairy godmother so far, have you? At least Bandit was on the scene as soon as it happened.” I can see how deep those barbs went as soon as they were out of my mouth, and I regret them instantly. “I’m sorry…”

“I was under orders to stay well clear of you. Pres gave me the order in church in front of all the club. Despite not being there, I was still the one who saved your life, even though you don’t realize it.”

“What do you mean, Fury?” The truck...Whack said something about Fury and my truck.

“It doesn’t matter. I was right. I’ll never be good enough for you, no matter what.”

“Enough of the self-pitying crap. Out with it. How did you save me when you weren’t allowed near me?” I need to push this as I want it out in the open and from his lips.

“I bought the truck for you. I arranged it through Smoker. Nobody was expecting shots to be fired, but I wanted you in an armored vehicle in case they tried to ram you again. I wanted to protect you, even though I couldn’t physically be with you.”

“Why didn’t you tell me from the get-go?” I think I already know the answer to this, too.