“Big.”
“You’re beautiful, baby doll.”
“Thanks, Möosh.” I dropped my head to his chest and wrapped my arms around his waist. “I’m grateful this pregnancy has been pretty easy, but I’m ready for Charley to make her entrance now. I’m ready for all of this to be over. I’d love to laugh or sneeze without peeing... or throwing my back out.”
Maverick chuckled. “Mom gave me the name of a good massage therapist. I’m gonna call her next week and set something up for you.”
“You are?”
“Yeah, baby, I am.”
I sighed. “I love you.”
“Love you too. We should get going.”
I smiled. “Okay... I just need to pee.”
Maverick chuckled. “Of course, you do.”
Once I did my thing, I followed him out to the truck, and he hoisted me inside. We arrived at the compound to find everyone already there... rare for a club whose general philosophy was that time was a suggestion rather than a rule.
Hugs and kisses or gentle pats to my belly commenced as soon as I walked in the door. I loved watching these gruff men melt when talking about the new addition to the Dogs family. I’d even had a few of them offer to babysit.
Once the greetings concluded, Maverick led me to an overstuffed chair where I was not allowed to leave (except to pee) throughout the festivities. It was where I ate and where I opened the mounds of presents, and where Mom and Dad presented us with a trip to Charleston for our belated honeymoon. It was a night full of surprises and generosity unmatched, and by the time Maverick and I got home, I was overwhelmed by the love we’d been shown.
I fell into bed at almost midnight and didn’t wake up until several hours after Maverick had left for work. I decided to haul my huge body up the stairs and hang out with Dad and Rex for a bit.
“Hey, baby girl, how are you feeling?”
“Good. Maverick let me sleep,” I said as I sat at the kitchen island. “I have lost my phone, though, so would you mind calling it?”
“Sure.” He slid his phone out of his pocket and headed downstairs, returning a few minutes later. “It’s not downstairs, Lil.”
“Hmm, maybe I left it in the truck. I could have sworn I had it with me, though.” I waved my hand dismissively. “Pregnancy brain.”
Dad smiled. “I texted Mav and let him know if he needs you, to call me.”
“Thanks.”
A few minutes later, he got a phone call and smiled as he answered. “Hey, Mav.” He scowled, glanced at me, and then turned away. “Yeah?”
I was suddenly on alert. Something was wrong. Before Dad had finished his call, the doorbell rang and then pounding sounded on the door. Dad stalked to the door while I followed.
Pulling it open, we found Cassidy rushing in, tears running down her face. “Someone has Tillie. Carter’s on his way home, but...”
“Listen to me, you conniving cunt, what the fuck have you done?” Dad hissed into the phone.
I grabbed the foyer console to keep from falling over. Dad wasn’t talking to Maverick. He was talking to Jenny. I swallowed convulsively. He was talking to my egg donor who had called from Maverick’s phone.
“I swear to Christ, Jenny, you fuckin’ hurt either of them, or your asshole of an old man or his club hurts either of them, I will kill you. It will be slowly, and you will beg to die,” Dad seethed and hung up.
“What’s going on?” I rasped.
“Hawk?” Cassidy reached for his arm.
Dad shook her off and headed toward the stairs.
“Dad!” I bellowed. “What is going on?”
“I know who has Tillie,” he said and headed upstairs, returning with two handguns.
“Who?” Cassidy asked.
Before Dad could answer, the front door flew open, and Ace walked in, his face relaxing when he caught sight of Cassidy. “Which part of don’t leave the fuckin’ house did you not get, Cass?” he snapped.
“I knew Hawk was here, and I thought he could help.” She let Ace pull her into his arms, and she burst into tears. “Hawk knows who has our little girl.”
“I know, baby,” he whispered. “We’re gonna get her back.”
“Where’s Maverick?” I asked, scared to know the answer but needing to anyway.
“We’re gonna get him back too,” Dad said.
“They have him?” I squeaked, laying my hands on my belly.
“I need you to stay with me, Lil.” Dad lifted my chin gently. “You and Cass are goin’ over to Hatch’s place, and you’re gonna hunker down there until this is sorted.”
“Why do they have him?” I asked.
“Because they were trying to get you.”
I gasped. “How?”
“The bitch texted you a proof of life picture of Tillie. She was trying to draw you out, but Maverick saw it and went in without letting any of us know. It was a trap.”
“Ohmigod,” I rasped. “What—”
“That’s all you’re getting,” Dad said and turned to Ace. “Ready?”
Ace nodded, and we headed over to Hatch’s house.
“What about Mom?” I asked.
“She’s good, baby girl,” Dad assured me. “Train’s bringing her here after work.”
I grabbed his arm. “Is Maverick okay?”
“Yeah.”
“How do you know?” I demanded.
“I just know.”
I let out a frustrated growl. “How do you know?”
Dad cupped my chin. “Made Mav a promise, Lil.”
I bit back tears. “How bad is it?”
“He’s good, baby girl.”
“That’s not a good enough answer!” I snapped. “How hurt is he? Have they done anything to Tillie?”
Dad took a deep breath and studied me for a few tense seconds. “They are both fine.”
“If you’re lying to—”
“I’ve never lied to you, Lily,” he interrupted. “I’ve lied for you, but I’ve never lied to you.”
Dad could growl, he could yell, and he could all-around scare most people when he raged, but when he quietly reminded me of things I’d rather not remember, that filled me with both guilt and fear.
“Please don’t try to protect me,” I whispered. “Tell me everything.”
“Baby girl, you’ve gotten all you’re gonna get.”
He turned and walked out the door, locking it behind me. I fell into Cassidy’s arms as we both burst into tears.
* * *
Maverick
I grimaced, my side on fire from where Brick had kicked it repeatedly. I was pretty sure I had a couple of broken ribs.
“Mav?” Tillie whispered, her frightened voice breaking my heart.
We were in some kind of basement. I wasn’t sure if it was a house or commercial space, but it was moldy and damp and had only one small window that didn’t appear to open. I was sitting on a soiled mattress pushed up against the wall, and Tillie was next to me.
“I’m okay, Till,” I lied.
She took my hand and studied me. “I’m really sorry.”
I swallowed and took a shallow breath. “For what?”
“This is all my fault.”
My blood ran cold. “How is it your fault, Tillie?”
“I just wanted to hang out with Chloe before her bus came.” She squeezed her eyes shut, tears streaming down her face. “I kind of ditched Rooster.”
“Shit, Tillie.”
“I know, I know,” she rushed to say.
“No, Till, you don’t know,” I snapped. “When they took you, they texted Lily! It was a trap to get her here.”
“They did?”
“Yeah, sis, they did.” I scowled. “You have no idea what these assholes are capable of.”
“I’m really sorry,” she whispered.
“I’m gonna let Dad deal with you when we get out of here, Till, but when we tell you to stay with a recruit, you fuckin’ stay with a recruit. Got it?”
She rele
ased my hand, gripping hers in her lap. “Got it,” she rasped.
I shifted, knocking the wind out of myself. I forced back a groan, not wanting to scare my sister any more than she already was. “I need you to do something for me.”
She sat up on her knees. “Anything.”
“They took my gun, but I’m hoping that’s all they took. Check my boot for my knife. I can’t reach it.” I’d been knocked out for a bit, but I didn’t know how long.
Tillie scooted to my feet. “Which one?”
“Right.”
She pushed my right pant leg up and slid her hand inside my boot, pulling out my blade and holding it up with a grin. I grabbed it and relaxed slightly. “Say nothing.”
Tillie bobbed her head and sat next to me again.
The creak of a rusty door echoed in the empty space, and Jenny walked in with a tray. “Well, look who’s awake,” she said and set the tray on the ground.
I scowled. Lily’s egg donor was dressed like a hooker, and the way she sauntered and batted her eyelashes, it was obvious she was trying to get my attention.
“What do you want, Jenny?” I demanded. Every breath elicited agonizing pain.
“I just want to spend time with my daughter.” She crossed her arms, pushing her fake tits up higher.
I forced back the puke threatening to come up. “You’re never gonna get near her, Jenny.”
“She’ll find a way,” she said.
I chuckled, regretting it immediately. I shifted again, trying to take pressure off my ribs. “Listen, bitch. Lily will not go against Hawk, and if you think she will, you’re fuckin’ delusional.”
“Then she’ll need more incentive.” Jenny studied Tillie, who scooted closer to me.
“Come closer, Jenny. I dare you.”
“Oh, I’m not gonna do anything... but he”—she nodded behind her, and Brick came into view—” is gonna do it for me.”
Tillie whimpered and slid even closer to me. I wrapped an arm around her waist and tucked her tight to the protection of my body.
Brick stepped forward and sneered. “Don’t get comfortable, little bitch. Your time’s comin’.”
Tillie dropped her face against my arm and squeezed her eyes shut, her body shaking. I scowled up at Brick. “You even think of touching my sister, and I will fucking kill you.”
“Big words from the little shit who couldn’t take a beat down.”
I scoffed. “Next time, try me one-on-one, or even two-on-one, asshole. Only a pussy needs four guys to hold one back so you can deliver a beat down.”
Brick inched closer again. I just needed him close enough to get one good jab in, but I had to be careful not to hurt my sister.
“How’s your side?” Brick taunted.
“Why don’t you come have a look?” I challenged.
Brick cackled and walked away, followed by Jenny. The door closed again, and Tillie stared up at me. “Is he going to hurt me?”
“Over my dead body.” I nodded to the tray. “You need to eat, Till. And grab that water, would ya?”
She stood and walked toward the tray. Gasping, she rushed behind the stairs.
“Till, what the hell are you doing?” I hissed.
She returned, her backpack hanging from her hand. “They left it down here.”
“So?”
“So I have another phone.” She flopped down and rifled through the bag, pulling out the old Nokia phone. “Dad insisted I have it just in case.”
“Way to fuckin’ bury the lead, little sister,” I admonished. “Why the hell didn’t you use it before?”
“They were hurting you,” she whispered. “I forgot.”
I regretted my harshness immediately. “Okay, Till, it’s okay.”
She powered it up and handed it to me. “Do you remember anyone’s number?”
I nodded and dialed our dad.
“Tillie?” Dad answered immediately.
“It’s Mav,” I whispered. “We’re together, and she’s okay.”
“What about you?”
“Couple of broken ribs... was knocked out for a few, probably have a concussion.”
“Okay, buddy. Ryder thinks he knows where you are, but we’ll track this phone. We’re comin’. Tell me what you see.”
I gave him a detailed report of everything in the room down to the brand of mattress on the floor.
“Got it,” he said.
“How’s Lily?” I asked.
“She’s freaked... and a little pissed at Hawk right now.”
“Who’s she with?”
“Your mom.”
“I’m gonna call her,” I said.
“Don’t get caught. Keep the phone with you, but on silent.”
“I will.”
“Your sister good?”
“Yeah, Dad, Tillie’s safe. She’ll stay that way.”
Dad sighed. “Thanks, bud.”
“Gonna call my girl now.”
“Okay. We’ll talk soon.”
I hung up and dialed my mother’s phone number.
“Tillie?” Cassidy answered in a whisper.
“Maverick.”
“Oh, honey, are you guys okay?”
“Yeah, Mom, we’re good. Is Lily with you?” I asked.
“I want to talk to Tillie.”
I sighed and handed the phone to my sister, my finger against my lip to remind her to stay quiet.
“Hi, Mom. I’m okay. Maverick’s really hurt—”
“Tillie,” I admonished.
“Well, you are,” she argued.
“I want to talk to Lily,” I demanded.
“Can you please put Lily on, Mom?” Tillie nodded. “I will. I love you, Mama.” She handed the phone to me.
I put it to my ear in time to hear Lily say, “What the hell is going on?”
“I don’t have time to go into that, baby. I just needed to hear your voice.”
“God, Möosh, are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m good.”
I heard her teary voice. “Do you know where you are? I’ll come and get you.”
“No, baby. Dad’s workin’ on it. Ryder thinks he knows where we are. They’re comin’. I need you to stay calm, yeah?”
“How can I stay calm when I don’t know if you’re okay?”
“I’m okay, baby doll.”
“Please stay that way,” she begged, sobbing openly.
“I will. I have to go. We don’t want them to find this phone,” I whispered.
She was still sobbing, and it broke my heart. “I love you, Möosh. Come home to me. Promise.”
“I promise. I love you, too.”
I hung up before I could stop myself and shoved the phone in my back pocket. “Drink, Tillie. You need to stay hydrated. But first, put the bag back where you found it. We’re gonna play dumb.”
She nodded and returned the bag. Then she opened the bottled water, took a swig, and handed it to me. We ate in silence, and I hoped Ryder would figure out where we were before I was forced to kill someone.
Lily
“I NEED TO do something,” I cried as I paced the floor.
“Baby girl, you need to sit down,” Mom said as she wrapped an arm around Cassidy, who was sitting on the sofa and staring off into space.
“I can’t,” I whispered.
“Dammit, Lily, sit down,” Cassidy demanded. “I will not have you falling down. I can’t worry about you while I’m worried about two of my other kids.”
Cassidy had never spoken to me that way. I’d never heard her talk to anyone that way, so I sat down, despite the fact it made me crazy to do so. Charley could obviously feel my stress because she was doing somersaults in my belly, and they were almost painful. I took a few calming breaths, hoping to ease my baby’s fears, but all I managed to do was to break into wracking sobs.
Cassidy shook her head, reaching over to squeeze my hand. “I’m sorry, honey. I just really need you safe, okay? If you go into labor or wear yourself out, I couldn’t bear it.
”
“It’s okay, Cass. I get it.”
A few minutes later, Poppy (with Devon following) rushed into the basement. “Are you okay?” she asked, wrapping her arms around me gently.
“I’m fine. I just want to know how Maverick is.” I glanced up at Devon. “What have you heard?”
“Nothin’, Lil. I have to head out.” He pulled Poppy toward him. “Do not leave this basement until I get you, got it?”
“What if Sid comes?”
He sighed. “If Hatch gives the all-clear, then obviously, you can leave.”
“Oh, can I, wise and generous one?” she deadpanned.
Devon rolled his eyes, but I noticed him squeeze her hand gently. Devon really did care about Poppy. He might need to step up his game in the form of better communication, but I figured they’d sort it out... eventually.
After Devon had left, Poppy sat on the sofa next to me. “Can I get you something, Lil?”
“I’d love some water, please.”
“No problem.” Poppy grabbed bottled waters for everyone, and we went back to our silent panicking.
As the hours passed, pretty much all of the Vancouver area Dogs’ women and children filled Hatch’s safe room. The folks in Portland were at the compound, but the longer we were stuck in the room, albeit a large space, the more panicked I became. Especially since as more people showed up—who weren’t Maverick and Tillie—I realized it meant things weren’t going well.
At midnight, Mom forced me to lie down in the guest bedroom. I had been cramping for about an hour, and I had been trying to hide it. Unfortunately, Mom knew me and could tell something was off, so now, she and Cassidy were fussing over me. I hated that Cassidy was dealing with all of this. I hated we all were, but having two of your children in danger must be torture for her.
“I think I should call Macey,” Mom said, stroking my hair.
“Dallas won’t let her out of his sight,” I said.
Cassidy sighed. “She’s right, Pay. Pretty sure Jaxon and Brock are with Carter and Hawk, so Dallas will probably be with Bailey and Macey.”
“Shit,” Mom hissed.
“I’m okay,” I assured her, rubbing my belly and easing some of the discomfort. “I’m sure it’s just stress.”
“This is bullshit,” Mom snapped. “I’m going to find out what the hell is going on.”
“Pay—” Cassidy started.
Road to Forever Page 16
