Steel Temptation (Back Down Devil MC #6)(53)

“Why are you so worried about Jacob?”

“I’m always worried about him,” Mia said. “You know that. I care about him. He’s like the little brother I never had.”

Mia forced a smile.

Uncle Jake wasn’t buying it.

“Brother you never had? Please. If you were my daughter, you’d…” Uncle Jake looked around. “Come inside, quickly.”

Mia entered the house through the front door. It was weird doing so.

Again, as she walked through the downstairs of the house there was no sign of a kid. Yeah, Uncle Jake kept a tight ship on things, but the aura of the house was just off. Mia felt her heart pounding in her chest.

Something’s wrong. Something’s very wrong here.

Uncle Jake stopped at the entrance to the kitchen. He stood with his back to Mia. “I don’t have any coffee or anything made. Hope that’s not a problem.”

“Oh, not at all,” Mia said. “I’m fine. Just… everything last night…”

Uncle Jake walked again.

Once they were in the kitchen, Uncle Jake took a seat and moved the newspaper out of the way. He looked at Mia as she stood at the black marble covered island in the middle of the kitchen. She wanted to keep her distance, just in case.

Her heart still pounded, angry at herself for forgetting the damn gun.

“Nothing happened to you, right?” Uncle Jake asked. “You weren’t hurt?”

“No,” Mia said. “No. I got out. I left with them. They were persistent, confused. They were worried all night about it. That those other guys…”

“Coast Road MC,” Uncle Jake said. “Very dumb men. I’m not going to lie. I tried to appease everyone though. I tried to be fair. I figured if you just… you know, bent over and took one for me, it would help. But you hit him. You attacked him. You fought.”

“I had to,” Mia said. “I don’t…”

“I understand. There’s something greater at stake.”

“I never asked to be part of that. I just wanted to help with the game, like I always do. And then make a little money and slip away.”

“And check on Jacob.”

Mia swallowed hard. “Yes. Check on Jacob.”

Uncle Jake laughed. “You fear for his life, don’t you?”

“Why would I?”

“You know where Jacob is?”

“No,” Mia said. “I’m asking you…”

“He ran away. Okay? He left a note and ran away.”

“And you’re calm right now?”

Uncle Jake brought a fist to the table. “This is who I am, Mia. I care. I’ve spoken personally with the Chief in Frelen. He’s taking this to heart for me. There’s a plan in motion to find Jacob. He’s a troubled young man. Situations in school could have been dealt with a different way. But it was them… those people in that motorcycle club that f*cked his mind up for good. They almost turned him into a killer. He wanted to harm. He wanted to keep harming. What am I to do with that?”

“What did you do?” Mia asked.

“I handled him,” Uncle Jake said. “I tried to straighten him. But he felt freedom was better off. So that’s what he has now. Freedom. He’s gone. I didn’t want to tell you because I knew it would upset you. Okay? But I assure you, it’s going to be okay.”

“No, it’s not,” Mia said. “This whole thing…”

Uncle Jake lifted the newspaper and tossed it across the table. That’s when Mia saw the gun. Uncle Jake put his hand to the weapon and just stared at her with cold, dark eyes.

“This whole thing,” Uncle Jake said. “Go on, tell me about this whole thing. What’s your version of it? The one where you f*ck all the bikers? Where you get on your knees and suck their dicks? Where you act like a f*cking bitch whore and leave me?”

Mia sidestepped. “You have it wrong. You told me…”

“The war is already over,” Uncle Jake said. “Just because they’re still walking doesn’t mean a thing. I hope you remember that, Mia. Power always wins. Not muscle. Not grit. Not a f*cking motorcycle. Yet that’s what you want.”

“I never said that. I just want to see Jacob.”

“Then go find him. Save him.” Uncle Jake lifted the gun. It was pointed right at Mia. “Save yourself while you’re at it.”

Mia glanced from the corner of her eye. There was a silver canister filled with steel utensils. They were probably expensive, all unused, there to match the decor of the kitchen. But that provided a small chance for Mia. She hurried, grabbing the canister, and then threw it toward Uncle Jake. It came nowhere near reaching him, but it was enough to let Mia turn and run.

She waited for the gunshot, but it never came.

That didn’t mean Mia could stop though.

She kept running.

To the front door.

She opened and fled the house. Her car felt like it was a mile away.

Mia got to her car, climbed inside, and started it. She saw the gun next to her on the passenger seat. She wondered what would have happened inside if she actually brought the gun with her?

Would she have shot Uncle Jake?

She looked out the window and saw him… Uncle Jake standing at the front door. It was open and he had one foot on the porch.