Raging Barons MC – Book Nine – Knuckles

-:- JOLENE -:-

Rinsing my hands at the kitchen sink, I look out of the window of the small house Lincoln is leasing for us to live in. He works so hard to keep me safe, earning what he can to keep a roof over our heads and food on the table.

Being on the run has not been easy for either of us, but I’m so grateful to my brother for keeping me safe and out of the hands of that monster that has been one step behind us for the last nine months.

After drying my hands, I walk out of the kitchen and head upstairs, where I make our beds and collect our laundry. I don’t let laundry pile up because if we have to run, we often have to leave dirty laundry behind as we grab our holdalls and that’s what amounts to our worldly goods.

Loading the washer, I set it going and lean against the wall for a moment. Closing my eyes, I try to envisage a life of being settled in one place, getting a job, and making friends.

Feeling the buzzing of my phone, I take it out of the back pocket of my jeans, which are slightly too large, as I’ve lost quite a lot of weight since we’ve been running. Checking the screen, I smile.

Linc: I’ll be home at 6:00

Me: Ok, I’ll have the meal ready

Linc: Don’t open the door to anyone. Run if you have to and I’ll find you.

Me: I’ll be safe. I’ve not been outside.

Linc: Ok. Love Ya Sis

Me: Love you too bro

Looking around the small utility, there’s nothing I need to do, so I walk into the kitchen and open the fridge. We never keep too much food in because if we run, it’s just a waste of money when we have to leave it behind and we’ve had to do that three times so far.

Opening the egg carton, I take one out, leaving one for tomorrow. Placing it next to the drainer, I get a bowl, milk, and we have a sprinkle of cheese left over. I’m pleased I grated that the other day.

Making an omelet, I quickly eat and clean the dishes away. Empty the washer and hang the laundry on the airer. The dryer is on the blink, so it’s got to be the hard way to get them dry. Looking outside, it’s a nice day, but if I hang the laundry outside, I risk being seen, then all Linc’s doing to keep me safe will have been wasted.

There is nothing left for me to clean, so I check to see what I can prepare for the evening meal, and seeing we have hardly anything left, I decide to use the pizza we have in the freezer. That’s the last of the groceries and I’ll have to tell Lincoln, which makes me sad he has all this laying on his shoulders.

I want to get a job to help but Linc won’t hear of it. I do understand his worry, but if we move away, I’d be able to work and it would be easier for us to live decently instead of on the small wage Linc earns as a delivery driver. The money he gets from fighting he puts half away so we can have our own house, eventually. The other half is to help us eat a little better, pay utilities, and generally boost the small wage.

I know I’ve got a couple of hours before Linc gets home, so I sit at the kitchen table with my A4 notebook and start writing.

I’ve been writing for quite some time and have three books completed, but not sure what I can ever do with them. They help me pass the time.

The series I’m writing is about a small town where love happens for single fathers or mothers, doesn’t matter which, just a single parent who finds love in the most unlikely of places.

Finishing a chapter, I check the time and see I’d better get the oven on and the pizza ready because I don’t want Linc to have to wait for food when he comes in from work.

Half an hour later, I look over and smile when my brother walks inside the back door. He looks tired and I feel guilty that it’s because of me he’s having to go through all this. Maybe I should just go with the man and let him live his life.

“You can stop those thoughts, Jo. I’ll not have it. It’s not your fault that fucker took a fancy to you. We only have each other and that’s enough. When we have enough saved, we’ll move away to another state where he’ll not find us and start fresh.”

Taking the pizza out of the oven, I quickly cut it into pieces and give Linc three quarters. When he complains, I smile. “I ate a while ago, so this is plenty for me. I’m not exercising much, now am I? So, I don’t need the fuel the same as you. If I was working, I’d be burning the calories the same as I used to. Just eat Linc and then you can get some rest. I’ll make a shopping list and if you can pick some groceries up tomorrow, that would be good.”

After we’ve eaten, Lincoln goes to wash up and I clean the kitchen. Hearing the shower cut off, I make two mugs of hot chocolate, and when he walks into the kitchen; I pass him his mug.

“Here you are. I’m going to bed and I’ll see you in the morning.” Turning, I walk to the stairs and then remember the list. “Oh Linc, I left the shopping list on the table.”

“Okay, I’ll take it with me in the morning. Goodnight,” Linc replies and I can hear him walking into the living room, which is my cue to head to bed.

Opening my bedside table, I take out the book I’ve been reading. It’s the one Linc picked up for me at a garden clear-out sale. It’s a historical romance, which is not my thing, but it’s better than nothing.

An hour later, I’m bored with the book and as it’s dark, I turn out the bedside lamp and step over to the window seat. Sitting in the dark, I watch the movement outside. People going home from the local bar, staggering along, singing out of tune. It’s always amusing to watch them.

Resting my cheek on my knees, I can’t help wondering how good it would have been if we didn’t have to watch over our shoulders all the time and Linc having to fight to earn enough money to keep us both safe. I hate it and I hate the man that’s caused all this.

The next day I hear a light knocking on the door, and knowing Lincoln has already left for work, I carefully check before I open it. Mrs. Cornwallis is standing there looking nervous and I give her a small smile. “Are you alright Mrs. Cornwallis?” I ask as I step back and indicate she can step inside the hallway.

“To be honest with you, deary, I’m a little nervous because we don’t know each other very well.”

“Come into the kitchen and I’ll make us both a drink, then you can tell me what’s worrying you.”

We walk into the kitchen and I get her sitting at the table before I put the kettle on and get out the chamomile tea. Showing her she nods and I get the cups ready before turning back to her.

“Are you okay?” I ask because if she isn’t, I’m not sure what I could do to help her.

“Well, I am okay, but I could do with help and I know you are not working, so wanted to ask you a question.”

Finishing making the tea, I hand one to Mrs. Cornwallis, then take a seat across from her. Placing my cup on the table, I fold my hands and wait for her to explain.

“I have arthritis in my hands and knees and I’m struggling to keep my house clean. I dropped the iron last week and just missed my foot. I wanted to ask if you would be interested in helping me do chores in the house.” Before I can respond she holds her hand out. “I’ll pay you and I don’t know why you and your brother seem to be hiding out, but I’ll keep your secret, whatever it may be.”

I look her over carefully because it’s dangerous that she gets involved with us, but the lure of earning something which would help Lincoln has me wanting to give this a chance. Now do I tell her everything so she can make a choice or not?

“Mrs. Cornwallis, there is a man who has been trying to make me his woman. What sort of woman I don’t know, but when I told him no, he threatened me and Lincoln.”

“Lincoln is working, and he’s fighting so he can make enough money for us to leave here and start afresh somewhere else.

“Because I can’t be seen, I’ve not been able to help him, so your offer is very appealing. I can’t say yes without his permission. I won’t do anything he doesn’t want, as he’s risking everything for me as it is.”

Patting my hand, she smiles, “You’re a good girl, anyone can see that. You have a great brother who obviously loves you very much. You speak to him and let me know what he decides. I’m only next door, so you can come around the back rather than be seen at the front of the house.”

That night I speak to Lincoln and he agrees I will be safe to do the work for Mrs. Cornwallis as long as I am not seen walking around from our front door to hers.

Lincoln goes around and speaks with Mrs. Cornwallis, agrees on a wage that is fair to the both of us and I feel the excitement grow at the prospect of doing more than cleaning here and talking to myself all day.

The next day I sneak around the back of the house, from our back door to the one next door, and give a small knock before opening it and smiling when I see Mrs. Cornwallis sitting at the kitchen table.

“Good morning, Jolene.”

“Good morning.” It’s a mouthful saying her name every time, so I leave it at the greeting.

“You can call me Sybil, dear.”

“Good morning, Sybil. You can call me Jo, as I hate Jolene.”

“Is it that damn Dolly Parton song that had your momma calling you that?”

I bust out laughing. “It was, and it’s horrid.” I can’t help but laugh again when Sybil giggles with me.

“Sybil was bad enough, but I admit Jolene is worse. Why couldn’t we have had a name like Holly, Summer, or Rosemary?”

“I always liked Elizabeth or Marie,” I tell her as I walk over to the sink and start filling it to wash the few dishes on the side.

“It could be worse than Sybil or Jolene.” Turning to look at her with a frown. “Well, we could be Elspeth.” Which has us both giggling like a pair of schoolgirls.

I wash the dishes and set the washing machine going after stripping the bed linen. Clean the bathroom and throughout the upstairs, which has three bedrooms and a landing.

Taking the bed linen out of the machine, I place them in the dryer, then make a drink for the both of us. Sybil is asleep in an easy chair in the living room with the TV blasting out a Jerry Springer episode.

Gently waking Sybil, she has her drink and I finish mine before I sneak home and have a toilet break before checking my phone.

Seeing a text from Lincoln, I smile.

Linc: I’ll bring groceries

Me: Ok

Linc: I’ll bring something for us to eat too

Me: Ok, ty

Linc: Everything ok?

Me: Yes, I’m good

Linc: I’ll see you soon

Me: Ok, stay safe

Making sure I have no chores needing to be done, I pick up my notebook and continue writing. The time flies past and when I hear the front door open, I quickly pop my notebook away and rush to help Lincoln with the groceries.

Once we have the food put away, we eat the beef pot pie Lincoln had purchased at the bakery, and with the potatoes and gravy I made, it was a good meal.

“I’ve got a fight next Friday. I want you to stay home. People are starting to notice that I’m taking you with me. We can’t afford to become noticed, Jo, and we can’t guarantee Knuckles and Colton will be at the fight to watch over you.”

I give him a nod but I’m not happy because the last time he went without me he got hurt and I panicked when he didn’t get home until the next afternoon.

“I’ll call you as soon as the fight’s over, then you’ll know I’m okay. The man I’m fighting is an easy win for me, so stop worrying.”

“I don’t like you fighting, Linc. You shouldn’t have to fight to keep me safe.” Tears roll down my cheeks as I hate the man that has put us both in this position.

“I’m okay, and we only have each other. We look after each other always, and that’s all that matters.” Lincoln steps over to me and hugs me. Kissing the top of my head, which is something he’s done since I was around six, and would follow him wherever he went.

“Do you know any more about the man?”

Lincoln looks nervous when he looks at me. “I heard he’s part of the Mafia and that’s why I need you to stay out of sight. I can’t fight those people, Jo, so you have to stay unseen and safe. I’ve heard a few things and I’m checking what I’ve heard, but I have to be careful I don’t draw any attention to either of us.”

Wrapping my arms around my brother, I cry into his shoulder. If anything happens to Lincoln I’ll follow, the same as I’ve been following him all my life. It’s only us and I can’t see my life without him in it.

“Okay, I’ll stay here, but don’t get hurt or I’ll come find you.”

That earns me another kiss on top of my head, but doesn’t stop the worry curling in the pit of my stomach.