by River Savage
“So what do we do now? Can we get on the next plane?” I ask, eager to go to her, needing to go to her.
“I’m not going to lie to you, Bell. Where she’s been…”
My heart sinks when he doesn’t finish. “Where has she been? What aren’t you telling me?” I ask outright, frightened to know what it is we are dealing with here.
“It’s not good, Bell. The condition…what she’s endured… It’s going to be a long road,” he answers, but I won’t allow myself to get lost in the details. Paige is alive and that’s all that matters.
“So what, we wait here for them to come back?” I ask, not liking the idea of that. “No, I can’t do that,” I start to fight, but Jackson’s shaking head stops me.
“I’m not saying no. But we don’t want to overwhelm her tonight. Let’s get your parents to her first and you can fly out tomorrow.”
I nod my agreement but don’t like it. I want to be with them, be there when they finally see her.
“I need to go call them.” I stand and start to move back to Jesse’s room. Stopping halfway, I turn back and walk to Jackson. “Thank you,” I whisper as I wrap my arms around him.
“I’m just glad we found her.” He returns my hug briefly before stepping back. Turning to Jesse, I throw my arms around him.
“I’ll never be able to repay you for everything you’ve done.” I cry into his neck, overwhelmed with the news of what he and everyone has done for my family.
“You already have, sweetheart.” His hand comes to the back of my head as he kisses the side of my temple before releasing his hold. I take a step away and look down at him, overcome by my emotions. I want to scream, hell, shout even, but his love and understanding suspends me, keeping me locked from doing what I need to do.
“How about l take you to your parents now? I know you want to be there with them.” He stands and I nod in agreement. He’s right. There’s no way I can stay back. I have to be there. Even if I am not there to see Paige the first time, I have to be with them regardless, and Jesse knows that. He knows what I need and offered it to me before I could even request it.
This man is everything I could ask for and more.
I never imagined when I stepped into this club that it would set me on this path. I knew I was taking a chance getting involved with Jesse, but standing here now, it is without a doubt the best chance worth taking.
We saved each other, brought each other out of our pasts and now finally, we can move on.
Together.
* * *
“So when do you leave?” Holly asks two hours later as we sit down to let the club know the news. After Jackson left, Jesse took me straight to see my parents. Once my family got over the initial shock of the news, tears, hugs and encouraging words were shared before we were able to get Mom and Dad on the next flight out. One of Jay’s team members will meet them the moment they land.
I wish we all could go tonight, but ultimately, we agreed it would be best for Mom and Dad to meet with Paige first. The last thing we want to do is overwhelm her.
“We fly out tomorrow with Ava.” I smile when Jesse reaches for my hand. The news is still running wild in my head. Tomorrow I will see my sister. I still haven’t had a chance to talk to Jesse about his involvement in finding Paige, but I will.
“I’m so happy for you, Bell.” Kelly reaches out and touches my knee.
“Thank you. I still can’t believe it. If it weren’t for all of you, this wouldn’t be happening.” I look to the Rebels—Nix, Sy, Beau, Brooks and especially Jesse.
“You helped make this happen and I’ll never be able to thank you enough.”
“Nothing we wouldn’t do for family, darlin’,” Nix replies, the others nodding in agreement.
“I know, but I just want you to know I can’t thank you enough.”
Jesse throws his arm around me and kisses the side of my head. He doesn’t say anything but he doesn’t have to. He’s given me more than I can ever imagine. He’s given me my family back.
“Just bring her home safely,” Beau says and I bob my head. It’s what I’ve been waiting for since I started down this road and now, thanks to this new family, I have; I’m going to be able to. I look around at these people who I’ve grown to love and I couldn’t be more grateful. It’s been a long journey but one I wouldn’t change for anything.
“Umm, boss, we have a big fucking issue.” Hunter’s voice carries across the club, breaking through my happy thoughts.
“What the fuck now?” Nix looks up, his stare not one to mess with.
Hunter turns back and nods. A few seconds later, a brunette walks around the corner. Hair disheveled, face messed up, her lip is bleeding, but she makes no attempt to stop it. My heart stops instantly as I take her in.
“Mackenzie?” Beau stands from his chair so fast it falls back with a bang.
“Oh, fuck,” Sy whispers next to Holly, which causes the hairs on my arms to stand to attention. What the hell is going on and who is Mackenzie?
“Beau, I’m so sorry I came, but I really need your help.” Her hands tremble at her side as she twitches before looking back to the exit.
“Fuck,” Beau curses, rushing forward to her. She trembles when he gets close but doesn’t back away.
“Jesus Christ. There goes any chance of having a few quiet weeks.” Nix stands and follows closely behind Beau.
“What’s happening?” I whisper, looking back and forth between my friends and the woman who just crashed into their lives.
“Shit just got a whole lot worse for Beau is what just happened.” Jesse shakes his head but doesn’t elaborate.
I don’t know what to think, or how to respond. All I know is looking at Jesse’s face, her being here isn’t good for anyone.
“Don’t worry, sweetheart, we’ll sort it out.” He releases my hands, kisses my temple and then stands with the rest of the guys.
I nod once, believing his words and watch them move forward toward the woman. These men aren’t the type of men to cower away from anything. They wouldn’t turn their back on family. I know this because they proved themselves with me.
I was lucky enough to have found them, and I knew from watching this woman she felt the same. In her eyes, these men needed to be her saviors, and I knew they would be. Their patch is what brought them together, but their love for the club and what they do is what makes them a family.
My family.
Also by River Savage
COMING SOON IN THE KNIGHTS REBELS SERIES
Infatuation Book 4 In the Knights Rebels Mc
Men of S.W.A.T. Book One. (October 2016)
Want to know more about Paige?
Fear not, Paige’s story will be told.
FOLLOW THE KNIGHTS REBELS SERIES
Incandescent
Affliction
Reclaimed
Desertion (July 2015)
Infatuation (coming soon)
HELP SOMEONE. HELP YOURSELF.
Do you think you might have PTSD or know someone at risk? Take action for yourself or someone you care about.
One in three returning troops in the US are being diagnosed with serious Post-Traumatic Stress symptoms. Less that 40% will seek help. (*PTSD USA What is the Statistics.)
1.4 million Australians at any one time* have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. (*Australian Bureau of Statistics – 6.4% of 21,530,081 Australians)
PTSD affects people from all walks of life. Families can be torn apart, drug and alcohol problems can occur, careers are destroyed, and in some cases, people are driven to suicide as a way of stopping the psychological and physical pain and anguish.
Some of the following links explain post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including possible causes and how you can access treatment and support. Includes tips for helping yourself, and guidance for friends and family.
Real Warriors- USA
Picking Up The Peaces - Aus.
Mind.org- UK
Acknowledgments
&
nbsp; These things never get easier…
Alissa Evanson-Smith: I say it in every book, and will continue to in more to come—until you get rid of me. I love you, thank you for everything you do for me.
Cassia Brightmore: Lady you are so amazing. What a year hey? I love you so much; you are so beautiful and thank you for all your help.
Gillian Grybas: Gilly Gilly Gilly. I SOLO love you so much! You make me smile. Thank you for being an amazing friend. For supporting me and still loving my work.
My Beta team: Ladies, you really went above and beyond on this one. I can't thank you enough for the amazing effort you all put in. It takes a village to produce a book, and I would be lost with you all. Brie, Gilly, Tania, JJ, Nadia and Nat. You all have a place in my heart.
Brie: DUDE… Gahh, I love you lady. You had sooo much input into Jesse, and I truly appreciate it. I’m so grateful to have you on my team.
Tania: Thank you for all your extra work. Reading, reading and then reading some more. You are amazing.
JJ: Woman, what can I say…? I love you. That is all.
Marci: My little daughter-in-law. I’m so grateful you took time to read over Jesse. I know it was such a hard task for you… Hahhhhahah Love you lady.
Max Henry: Dude… Formatting and blurb shout out to you. You are so talented and so amazing. I love you, lady, hard. I’m inspired by you, by your words and I love your loyalty. Never change.
Louisa from LM Creations: You continue to make me beautiful covers. You are amazing.
Becky Johnson: I love working with you. Your patience, your opinion and your encouragements mean a lot and will never be forgotten. You’ve made this journey so smooth and I can’t wait to continue working with you.
To my Rebels: My amazing REBELS. I do love you. You’re like an extended family. Thank you for letting me be crazy
To ALL the Bloggers: Thank you for your support. I wouldn’t have been able to get my name out without you guys pimping my work. Reviewing and loving the Knights Rebels boys just as much as I do has been so surreal to see. The whole journey has been crazy.
My Mr. Savage: I love you like you a love song baby.
About the Author
An avid reader of romance and erotic novels, River’s love for books and reading fueled her passion for writing. Reading no longer sated her addiction, so she started writing in secret. She never imagined her dream of publishing a novel would ever be achievable. With a soft spot for an alpha male and a snarky, sassy woman, Kadence and Nix were born.
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