by Eve R. Hart
“Thanks for bringing her over,” I replied with a playful smirk letting him know that I understood just why he was there.
“Yeah, we should, uh, keep this between us,” Ellie piped up. “Diesel is still a little, um, standoffish. I’m sorry.”
Axe came back with a nice sized bruise on his face and after I asked him over and over, he finally broke and told me a bit about what happened in the meeting. So, I had an idea of what she was talking about.
“Well, I don’t want to get either of you in trouble.” I flinched as I said the words.
Ellie’s light laugh filled the air as she waved her hand at me like I was being silly.
“She knows how to distract him. By the time she’s done with him, he will either have forgotten or be so worn out that he won’t care,” Tank said with a playful wink at Ellie.
I laughed, it came out a little awkward, but still. I totally got what he was implying. Ellie’s face turned as red as a tomato and she ducked her head, using Fate as an excuse to hide.
They stayed for about an hour before Ellie had to leave to put Fate down for a nap.
We mostly talked about nothing and it was so nice. I wouldn’t have cared if we had carried on about the weather the entire time, I was just happy to have someone to talk to.
Since Brand had stopped by earlier to let me know that Axe had a few things to take care of, I had no idea when he would be home. I found myself a little giddy and anxious for his return. I couldn’t wait to see him.
It started to get late and I decided that I needed to make dinner. Even if Axe wouldn’t be home soon, Neiryn and I still needed to eat. I figured I could make enough and heat it up for him when he got back.
“Whatcha want to eat, buddy?” I asked Neiryn.
“Pa-ta,” he said with a clap of his hands.
“Pasta. Got it,” I said back with a firm nod. “Green?”
His face scrunched up like he was thinking really hard about his answer. Then he shook his head letting me know that broccoli wasn’t going to fly tonight.
“O-ange,” he said with confidence.
“Oh, yes. Carrots, I can do that. Sounds delicious, buddy.”
I got to work making spaghetti and meatballs—because I knew he liked meatballs over meat sauce, always—and steamed carrots for the side. I kept an ear out, to make sure he wasn’t getting into something he shouldn’t have. For the most part, he was a good kid, but I understood that kids sometimes had a curiosity that couldn’t be tamed.
Just as I was cutting the stove off and getting ready to plate everything, I heard Axe’s bike pull up to the curb out front. I smiled thinking how perfect his timing was.
“Allison?!” His voice sounded shaky and panicked as he rushed into the house.
“Hey,” I said as I popped out so he could lay eyes on me. “You alright?”
Axe’s eyes were wild as he scanned the area, then his feet were taking him towards Neiryn. He still hadn’t answered my question and my heart began to race. He picked Neiryn up and held him so close I was sure he was about to squash the kid.
“Baby,” he breathed out as he took long, fast steps to reach me. “You okay?”
“Yes, we’re fine? What’s this all about?”
I could see the panic in his eyes.
“Nothing,” he murmured as he bent down and kissed my lips.
Neiryn’s little hand pushing on my cheek brought me out of my daze.
“We need to go.”
“What?” I asked completely confused as to what was going on. “I just made dinner.”
“Fuck dinner. Pack a bag, fast. We’re going to the clubhouse. We’ll stay there for now.” He started to move around, Neiryn still held firmly against his chest as he gathered up things and tossed them into the diaper bag.
“Axe.”
“Now, Allison. He knows you’re here.”
I froze. All the blood drained from my face and I fought to stay standing.
“No…” My vision became spotty and blurry. I blinked, trying to make out objects in front of me.
“Allison, baby, you have to focus.”
Axe’s voice sounded both close and far away. I felt his fingers on the skin of my arm but I couldn’t shake myself out of my shocked and fear-panicked state.
“Stay with me. Shit.” His lips were beside my ear as his arms enveloped me. “I’ve got you. I’m here. But I need you to move your feet, bitch.”
His fingers tightened in my hair as he kissed me hard. The world came back to me then and I didn’t hesitate to move any longer. I knew what had to be done.
I was a mother.
I was a survivor.
I was wanted.
I was cherished.
I was safe.
And I was fucking strong.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Axe
“I’m going to go put these bags in the car,” Allison called over her shoulder as she headed to the back door.
She had it opened before I could stop her.
“Allison, wait!” I yelled. I didn’t want her going anywhere alone.
“Yes, Allison, wait.” His voice caused a shiver to run down my spine. “You never know what might be out there.”
Savage’s laugh filled the air and my legs moved before I could think. Gunshots and the crunching sound of metal on metal filled the air outside just as the front door burst open.
Allison’s screams filled the air as I watched the man I hated with every bone in my body grab her by the throat and slam her against the wall.
“I’ll be taking what’s mine back now.” He held his gun up, aimed in my direction as he grabbed a fist full of her hair with the other hand.
“Neiryn,” Allison screamed as she tried to struggle against his hold. “Save Neiryn.”
Her eyes pleaded with me. I couldn’t save them both and it fucking killed me.
Three of his men filled the front doorway and their heads whipped in every direction like they were trying to figure out which way to go.
“Kill the boy!” Savage barked and I couldn’t believe my ears. He just told them to kill his own son. Then again, he was a fucking monster so I shouldn’t have been surprised. “I never wanted that little shit anyway.”
Without thinking, I dove for Neiryn who was crouched down on the floor, silent tears ran down his cheeks as he looked at the man he knew as his father.
Shit.
Gunshots rang out as my body covered his. I hissed as one of them grazed my calf. It burned like hell but I knew I would still be able to get up and run.
Where the hell is the prospect?
I hadn’t even looked to see who was out there when I rode up. I had been too freaked out and the only thing I could think about was getting to Allison and Neiryn as soon as possible.
Allison’s screams faded and I knew there was no way I’d be able to get to her.
Fuck!
More gunshots rang out and I could hear the bullets whizzing by my head. Good thing they were such shit shots. I grabbed for my gun and without leaving Lil man uncovered, started to fire blindly. From my angle, I couldn’t see shit. The heavy thump that vibrated the floor under me let me know I’d hit at least one of them.
“Let’s go,” one of them barked and I listened for their retreating footsteps.
Neiryn’s soft, little sobs filled my ear and I tried my best to soothe him. Though, I had a feeling it wasn’t working.
“I’ll get her back, Lil man. I will,” I vowed as I popped up and checked the surroundings.
A flash of a black SUV peeling out on the road filled my vision as I looked out of the opened doorway.
Save Neiryn.
Her words whispered themselves in my ear again and halted my steps.
Neiryn.
I reached for my phone right as I heard Brand’s bike fly past the house at a speed that was definitely not safe for a residential neighborhood.
I stepped up to the doorway and scanned the area outside. That was when I noticed
a second SUV take off right behind Brand. Fuck! Fuck fuck fuck.
I had no way to warn him or go after them.
Again, where the hell was the motherfucking prospect that was supposed to be on watch?
“Axe?!” Chris’ voice rang out and my head snapped in his direction as he came jogging over. “You alright?”
I shook my head because I couldn’t open my mouth to talk.
“Where is the boy?” he stepped around me and into the house. He knew things sometimes could get dangerous for the club so I wasn’t all that surprised by his calm demeanor. Truth was, I fucking needed it right now. I needed someone that would help me keep my damn head level.
“The floor in front of the couch. I need…” I let out a shaky breath. “Need to get him to the clubhouse.”
A loud pop filled the air followed by a crash, and I could tell that whatever it was had to have been at a distance. Shit. This was not good.
I gathered up Neiryn while Chris grabbed the bags that were sitting on the couch. He followed right behind me out the back door and to the now fucked up detached garage.
“Fuck my life,” I said as I walked around to see if I could even get the car out. I had no idea how much damage had been done to the actual car, so it may have been pointless altogether.
“It’s no use,” Chris said. “Can you get his car seat out?”
“No,” I answered, seeing that I wasn’t able to even get to the side door to do so. The garage was old and it took one good hit from a big car to shake the thing down completely.
“Come on, we’ll take mine. I’m sure it will be fine to get up the road.”
We jogged across the street, our eyes scanning the area as we moved.
“You don’t think that Brand…” His voice faded off as he pulled out of his driveway.
I was thinking the same thing but I had no idea what that fucking noise had been. My number one priority right then was getting Neiryn to the clubhouse and keeping him safe.
“Stop,” I said, noticing a bike tipped on its side next to the road directly across from Allison’s place.
Looked like I found the prospect.
“Go,” I said not even getting out of the car to check on him. I pulled up Cal’s number on my phone and hit the call button. “Send someone to Allison’s, prospect is down. Savage found us. He has Allison and I’m coming in with Neiryn.” The words rushed out of my mouth as soon as Cal picked up.
“Motherfucker!” he roared into my ear. Then the line went dead.
“That’s Brand’s bike!” Chris yelled as we came across the mangled mess in the middle of the road.
“Chris,” I warned.
“Take the car,” he gritted out as he threw it into park, opened the door, and hopped out with lightning speed.
The fuck was up with those two?
I shook my head and shifted over the console as I slid into the driver’s seat.
“Stay down buddy,” I said hating that I didn’t have a safe way to transport him.
Not that I was driving that fast, but still. I didn’t think I could handle it if anything happened to him. I rolled into the compound gates, and only then, did I let myself actually breathe.
Jessica took Neiryn, though I was reluctant to let him go.
I barked at Patch and Lake to go get Brand, giving them heads-up that he was probably in bad shape. I hoped to fuck he was alright.
I paced Cal’s office as I filled him in on everything that had happened. Ethel. Allison. Savage.
This day had gone to shit real fucking quick!
“The fuck, Axe?!” Diesel’s voice roared with a fury that had me backing away as he barged into Cal’s office. He didn’t even knock, which told me he was lava hot on the pissed-the-fuck-off scale. “My fuckin’ woman was at your place today! She could have been there when he fucking showed up!”
“Hey. Whoa,” I said pretty calmly as I tossed up my hands in surrender. “I had no idea she was over there today. I’m sorry, man.”
“D, back up and fucking take a breath,” Tank said coming out of nowhere as he placed a firm hand on Diesel’s shoulder.
“I fucking knew she was bad news!” Diesel turned but didn’t leave the room. Instead, he walked to the other side and folded his arms over his chest as he glared at me.
“Tank, call everyone in,” Cal commanded in a normal tone. “Diesel, go fuckin’ drink a beer. Ellie here?” Diesel answered with a jerked nod but didn’t open his mouth. “As soon as we find out how Brand and the prospect are, we’ll sit down to church.”
“Fuckin’ no,” I snapped. “Cal I need that address. I need it right fucking now. I have to get to her.”
“You don’t think that’s what he is expectin’?” He pinned me with a knowing stare. “Hell, that was probably the only reason he came after her. He probably got wind that we were plannin’ somethin’ big, that we’re comin’ after him, and he did this to throw us the fuck off! No. We go in armed, ready, and level fuckin’ headed.”
“Cal,” I gritted out.
Bocca.
Bocca had the damn address. It was like a light bulb went off in my head and for the first time ever, I was about to disobey my president, my leader, my fucking father figure.
I spun on my heels and darted out the door. Cal’s voice roared with rage like I had never heard it before. My name rang out over and over from his mouth and followed me down the hall.
An arm slipped around my neck as I shoved Bocca’s door open. Bocca’s eyes went wide as he looked up to see what all the commotion was. I struggled, but Tank’s arm only tightened around me. I gasped for air, but it was no use. His hand came down on the back of my head and as he pushed forward with a small amount of pressure, I knew I was no match for the big man. I was going down.
Fuck!
“I can’t let you do this. You know this is a bad move. I get you’re scared and you don’t want to lose the woman you care a shit-ton about, but I’m not going to let you go in all amped up and get yourself killed.” Tank’s voice floated softly into my ears.
I knew I couldn’t fight him and as my body grew weaker, I just gave the fuck in. I felt like a loser. A failure. A piece of shit. I felt like I’d let her down.
“Now, sit the fuck down. Calm your ass and go take care of that little boy.” Tank had to be the voice of damn reason right then and I hated it, but I knew he was right.
I nodded and he released his hold right before I passed out. I sucked in a huge breath of air as I doubled over, my hands planted firmly on my knees in an attempt to hold me up.
“I missed something, didn’t I?” Bocca asked.
“Yeah, a fuck of a lot,” Tank said. “Whatever you do, don’t give him that address.”
“Um, okay.” Bocca’s voice held a great deal of confusion.
“Allison,” I coughed out. “He took Allison.”
“Brand and prospect Calvin are down. Don’t know how bad yet. I gotta call everyone in,” Tank said. “You good to watch this jackass?”
“Yeah,” Bocca answered, clearly still trying to process everything that was said.
I walked over to his bed and flopped down. My head hung heavy as I rested my elbows on my knees.
“Hey,” Jessica’s voice said softly after some time had passed. “I think this little guy wanted to check on you. He keeps saying ‘ass’ and I’m assuming that’s you. Then again, you curse like a sailor, so he could have been genuinely saying ass.” Her light, short giggle helped lift my mood, but only slightly.
I cleared my throat and pushed my anxiety and fear down as much as I could.
“Hey, Lil man. Come here.” His little legs couldn’t carry him fast enough to me.
I scooped him up as soon as he was within reach and held him close. I rocked him, whispering over and over again in his ear how it was all going to be okay. I had no idea how I was going to get him to believe it when I wasn’t even sure if I believed it myself.
I had to be strong for him. For her. For the fucking c
lub to get us through this shit.
I knew the wait would be worth it. We would go in not only guns blazing but completely prepared to take every single one of those fuckers down.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Allison
Savage dragged me kicking and screaming out of the house. It was like I was living in the flashbacks of seven years ago, only it was reality. This time it was worse because there was Neiryn and for all I knew, he was dead. Savage’s words rang out in my head in a sick loop. I knew he was evil and heartless so I wasn’t sure why I was fighting my brain on the belief that he would do something like call for his own son’s death.
And Axe. Oh, God! I had no idea what had happened after Savage tossed me in the SUV.
Black.
Dark tinted windows.
I struggled with my mind as it shoved the memories and the fear front and center of the seventeen-year-old girl that had been taken.
“Boss,” the guy driving said and his eyes met mine in the rearview mirror. “We have company.”
I couldn’t help but smirk at hearing the motorcycle engine get closer. Whoever it was was going pretty fucking fast.
“Where the hell is the other car?” Savage barked, his hold on my arm tightened to the point that I whimpered in pain.
“Right behind him,” the driver answered.
“Fucking do something!” Savage shook my body with his outrage. “Fucking bitch.”
He slapped me, hard. My cheek stung and tingled. My hand jerked, wanting to rub the pain away and it took all my will to fight it from rising.
His hand gripped my jaw, pinching it so I had no choice but to open my mouth. Tears leaked out my eyes but I promised myself that I wouldn’t sob for him. I wouldn’t let him see me give up.
His finger pushed roughly into my mouth and it was then that I realized he had shoved two pills onto my tongue. Before I could attempt to spit them out, his hand closed over my mouth and the other pinched my nose closed as his weight pushed me down into the seat. Fighting him with everything I had in me, my legs kicked and my arms flailed as my head tried to shake off his hold. But I was no match for him, and like my brain knew better than to even try, my throat worked as I swallowed the pills down. Then my body went limp, completely losing its fight because I knew I couldn’t win.
