by Carol Dawn
Oh goodness.
Blake laughs before saying, “Shut the fuck up, Ink. You’re embarrassing my woman. Give me my little angel so I can take my girls home. You know where we are if you need us.”
He must have Sophia because he leads me out of the room. He opens a door and a gust of cold air hits me. Right before I step outside, I turn around and see a group of people standing behind us. I can’t see the details of their faces and it’s still pretty dark, but I can see enough.
It’s not just a flash like before. I can actually see. It isn’t much, but it’s enough to give me hope.
“Nice tattoo’s,” I say, which causes Blake to stop guiding me forward. “You must be Ink.”
I see a white smudge appear on the man in questions face. He’s smiling.
“The one and only pretty girl.”
I take a second longer to admire the group in front of me. I still don’t know their faces, but they’re slowly becoming my family. I turn around and get my first glimpse of Blake in weeks.
“Hey there, handsome,” I say as tears fall down my face. Up close, I can almost make out every part of his blurry face.
I lean down and look at my perfect little girl.
“Hey sweetie, mommy loves you so much. She looks bigger,” I say. Blake doesn’t say anything, so I look up at his face.
Something small is sliding down his cheeks. Are those tears? I reach out and gently touch them. Is he crying for me?
“It’s really you,” I say. “You’re really here.”
“My sweet girl,” he whispers. “I told you I was always going to be right here.”
I grab his hand and squeeze. “Take us home.”
“With fucking pleasure,” he says, before slamming the door behind our cheering family.
Chapter Fourteen
Chains
The moment we arrived back at the clubhouse I went straight for my room. Hawk went to update Bear. I couldn’t wait another second before setting my eyes on her. She’s my obsession.
The fact that she thought I wasn’t sexually attracted to her stunned me. She doesn’t realize how unbelievably beautiful she is. I can’t wait to show her exactly what she does to me.
Soon.
We’re home now and my girls are both sleeping. It took a while to get Arabella back to sleep because she wanted to keep looking at everything. The fact that a small bit of her vision came back gives her the hope that she’s been needing.
The look on her face when she realized that this time wasn’t just a flash like before, I’ll never forget. So much happiness radiated off her face that, to my shock, tears fell from my eyes.
It is now my life’s goal to make her that happy for the rest of our lives.
I’m sitting in the kitchen drinking a beer when my phone vibrates.
It’s Slim. I know he’s safe with Brick, but I don’t trust those Soul Searchers to look out for him the way he needs. As much as he gives us the stink eye for saying it, Slim is like our baby brother. Someone we have the deepest desire to protect.
I understand Hawk’s anger about Bear sending Slim into the Soul Searchers den. They are a crazy bunch of fuckers over there. But I also trust Brick with my life. He’s almost as quiet as Trigger. But he has the biggest heart I have ever seen. Not to mention the hardest punch.
Not that Trigger doesn’t have a heart. I’m sure he does. Somewhere deep in that black soul of his.
“Hey Slim, everything okay?” I ask. I mean, he is calling me at midnight.
“These people are crazy,” he says. “Did you know Mac’s ol’ lady has a crazy obsession with owl’s? Like borderline insane, crazy.”
Laughing, I say, “Yeah. She’s actually my sister’s best friend so I have had firsthand experience with her owl obsession. I can only imagine what her and Mac’s house looks like.”
“Well, she has those creepy wide-eyed things all over their clubhouse. I feel like I’m constantly being watched,” he says, with a quiver to his voice.
“I’m pretty sure she did that on purpose,” I say with a chuckle. “Fabiola loves to make people feel uncomfortable. It’s part of her charm.”
“Well, your sister should really reconsider her type of friends.”
I finish off the last of my beer and toss the bottle in the trash can. “Fabiola is the normal one in Laura’s group of friends,” I say. “Laura is drawn to loudmouth and bad-tempered people.”
“And Fabiola isn’t?”
“Nah,” I say. “That woman is a viper in a biker vest. Her crazy is on the inside.”
“Hopefully it stays there,” he mutters. “Anyway, have you checked that locater you all placed on the dealer?”
“No,” I admit. “Honestly, I haven’t really thought about it since I got back. Got some woman taking up all my headspace.”
“Well, you probably should. I got a ping earlier that the signal was moving.”
“Fuck. Moving to where?”
“Straight to Miamisburg.”
Double fuck.
“Did you tell Mac?” I ask.
“Figured I would tell you first. I did try to call Bear, but his phone went straight to voicemail.”
Probably loving on his woman.
“Have you figured anything out over there?”
“Yeah. Mac knows the location of where the cocaine is being sold. Some warehouse about five minutes from here,” he says. “By some crazy stroke of luck, the security cameras to the old warehouse were still in use. It took a little time, but I was finally able to hack into the system and get the feed. Audio and visual.”
“Does that help us any?”
“I’m not sure. I know it helped the Soul Searchers. They have every man out looking for this guy. He just hangs around until someone pops up who wants to buy.”
Surely not?
“What did this man look like?”
“He’s tall with Short black hair. But, he’s a small man. Even smaller than I am. Oh, and in the video, he kept calling himself, ‘The Guy’. It was weird. I think at one time he said his name was Ricky, The Guy. Wako if you ask me.”
“Wako or not, he’s the same man I bought off of tonight.”
“Damn,” he says. “Do you think it’s only him selling?”
“Too much of a coincidence,” I answer. “I don’t think he’s the one who started it, though. He’s dealing for someone.”
“Who the fuck would risk being on the Infernal Sons bad side by selling drugs with our logo on it?”
“Not sure,” I tell him. “But we will find out.”
“Shit, I gotta go,” he says. “Hawk’s calling. If I don’t answer, he turns mama bear on me.”
“Tell him everything you told me. I’ll update Bear tomorrow.”
“You got it. Talk later,” he says before hanging up.
Fuck. What the hell is going on?
Deciding that there isn’t anything I can do about it tonight, I go check on my girls. Arabella has a little more confidence with Sophia now that she has a little of her vision back. So, both my girls are asleep in the guest room.
I want more than anything to have Arabella wrapped in my arms as we sleep in our bed. But I know she needs a little time.
I walk into the guest room and over to Sophia’s bassinet. Wrapped snugly in a swaddle blanket, she’s fast asleep without a care in the world. I’ll do everything I can to make sure she always goes to sleep with this amount of peace. I kiss her cheek softly before checking on her mama.
Arabella is laying on her side, cuddled up to a pillow. She’s in one of my shirts and it is the sexiest thing I have ever seen. She’s only allowed to wear my shirts to bed from now on.
Or nothing at all. Yeah, I like that idea better.
Her head is still wrapped in gauze. It’s been almost three weeks since they replaced the piece of skull they had to remove. Her next appointment is in a week and we will find out then if her skin has been healed over enough to where she can remove the bandage completely.
&nb
sp; I can’t fucking wait. Getting her healed is my first priority. But, as soon as the doctors give the okay for more strenuous activity, I will be making her mine in the most pleasurable way.
I kiss her forehead and tuck her blankets up to her chin. My baby gets cold easily.
Using all the strength I have, I turn and leave the room. I make sure everything is locked up tight before I fall into bed and dream about my girls.
My family.
Chapter Fifteen
Bella
I’m sitting in the kitchen at the place Blake calls, the clubhouse. I don’t know much about bikers. Honestly, I’ve never met a group of bikers before in my life. Everything is so new to me. But I’m learning.
Last night I was able to actually care for my daughter. It’s still really hard to see, though. It feels like I have a constant state of blurry tunnel vision. So, every time Sophia woke up, Blake made her bottle for me and I fed and changed her. I felt so bad that everyone has had to take care of her for weeks now. But I feel like I can finally do my part.
Blake asked if I needed help, but I told him no every time. I know he didn’t go back to bed like he said he was going to. I know he stood next to the door until I was back under the blankets.
I should be angry at him for acting like he doesn’t trust me to take care of my own daughter. But I’m not angry. I actually found it really sweet that he was staying nearby in case I needed help.
“How is your vision, today?” Ink asks.
“I can see more clearly today than I did last night,” I tell him. “But that could also be because it’s brighter during the day. If this is all the vision I get, I’ll be happy with it. At least I can see a little now.”
“You know, usually when someone comes, we lose our vision for a few seconds,” Ink says. “Chains must have really worked you over last night to cause the opposite reaction in you.”
At first, I’m stunned. I’m not used to people being so openly blunt about these things. Yeah, I know they heard me last night, but I was hoping everyone would have forgotten about that.
“Ink,” Blake growls from beside me. I feel his leg move in front of mine. I love it when he does that.
“Yeah, yeah. I know. Shut the fuck up,” Ink mumbles.
I can’t help it; I throw my head back and laugh.
“Ink, you are something else,” I tell the goofy man.
“You know it, pretty girl,” he says.
“Ink, stop calling my woman pretty,” Blake grumps.
“Would you rather me call her an ugly old hag?”
“Hey now,” I mock glare at Ink. “I’m almost positive that I’m glaring at your face, but if I’m not then kindly place your body in front of me.”
“With pleasure, pretty lady.”
“Ink.” This time, there is no mistaking Blake’s anger.
“Shut the fuck up. Yeah, I get it,” Ink says. “Damn, you people need to get a new catchphrase.”
“I think someone is outside,” I tell Blake.
“What makes you think that, baby?”
I look over at him and soak in what facial features I can make out.
“I just heard a car door. You said there weren’t any other buildings super close to this one, so I’m assuming whoever closed the vehicle door is heading this way.”
Just then, someone knocks on the door.
“Well hell, Chains,” Hawk says from somewhere behind me. “You got yourself a superwoman.”
Blake kisses my forehead before answering the door.
“What the fuck do you want?” he asks whoever is on the other side.
“My name is special agent, Tom Murray, with the DEA. I need to speak with Landon Allington.”
Who is Landon Allington? I don’t want to ask and draw attention to myself.
“I’m Logan Allington. My brother will be down shortly. Is there something I can help you with?”
That’s Hawk talking. So, that must mean the agent is looking for Bear.
“No, thank you, Mr. Allington. I’ll just wait for your brother.”
We sit there for about five minutes in the most uncomfortable silence I’ve ever been apart of before Bear walks into the room.
“Very special agent, Tom Murray,” Bear says in his gruff, mocking voice. “What brings you back to my building? More allegations?”
Allegations? What is going on? This feels like something I shouldn’t be part of.
“Hey,” I whisper to Blake. “I can just go up to your room until you have everything done here.”
“Don’t move from this spot, baby,” he says. “This fucker just thinks he’s caught us for something we didn’t do.”
“Can we talk in private?” The agent asks.
“Nah,” Bear says. “We can talk here.”
I can’t see much of what’s going on, but I can tell the agent is moving his head around.
“I see some unfamiliar faces,” he says. “Are you sure you don’t want to take this somewhere else?”
“There isn’t a single soul in this room that I don’t trust,” Bear tells him. “Say what you need to say then get the fuck out of my building.”
The agent clears his throat. “Alright then. It has come to my attention that you’re holding someone against their will,” he pauses as if expecting Bear to say something.
The room remains silent.
“I have to tell you, Mr. Allington, with the evidence of your gang dealing drugs, and now this, my department is becoming increasingly concerned about the wellbeing of the residents here in Lebanon.”
“Well, first and foremost, we are not a gang,” Bear says. “Educate yourself, very Special Agent.”
“It’s just Special Agent. But you can call me, Tom.”
“And second,” Bear continues as if the agent hadn’t just interrupted him. “No one who enters this building does so against their will. My guys are built to protect, not to harm. So, the information that has come to your attention, regarding the drugs and the captive, is wrong. Very Special Agent, Tom Murray.”
I can’t make out what’s happening through my blurry vision, but I can see that no one is moving. No one makes a sound.
“Alright,” the agent says. “Then I would like to speak with a Mrs. Arabella Thompson, please.”
Oh, no.
“Fuck,” Blake whispers beside me.
“There is no, Mrs. Arabella Thompson here,” Ink says.
I hear a ruffling before the agent speaks again.
“Her husband sent me this picture. It looks like Mrs. Thompson is sitting right in this room.”
The tension in the silent room increases. I don’t want these guys to get into trouble just to protect me. Sophia is still in her car seat by my feet, so I gently shove her behind me and toward Blake. Blake must see my plan because the hand on my waist tightens.
“Don’t you fucking dare,” he whispers in an extremely scary voice.
I know he would never hurt me. So, I stand up.
“I’m Arabella,” I say, but it comes out in a harsh whisper.
Clearing my throat, I try again.
“I’m Arabella,” this time my voice sounds more confident than I feel. “But Jack isn’t my husband.”
It’s now or never. Open up, Bella. These guys won’t judge you. You have to say this in order to protect them as they’ve done you.
“He’s my rapist.”
The silence in the room disappears and is replaced by angry, swearing men.
“Mother Fucker,” Trigger yells.
I don’t usually hear him talk, and when he does his voice is usually monotone and calm. The anger that he has in his voice is enough to cause goosebumps to break out over my whole body.
The next thing I know, I have a person on all sides of me. Blake is still behind me, but I feel two people crowd on either side of my body and a hulking mass right in front of me.
I can no longer see the blurry blob of Special Agent, Tom Murray.
You would think behind trapped
between four giant men would be claustrophobic. Scary.
But I have never felt safer.
“You heard her,” Hawk says from in front of me. “She’s not here against her will. I think it’s time for you to leave.”
“Actually, I need more information. If what you say is true, ma`am, then I think you need to go to the hospital to get checked out.”
When no one says anything, he continues.
“I saw that bandage on your head. Do you need any help?”
Blake lets out a low growl. I place my hand over the one on my waist in hopes that it will help calm him.
“Going to the hospital now would just be a waste of time, Mr. Murray,” I tell the agent. “This happened about eleven months ago. As for the bandage on my head, well, I just recently got home from the hospital due to a different incident. So, I don’t need any help. Thank you for asking, though.”
“If Mr. Thompson did, in fact, attack you, then you should go to the police. You might not have physical evidence to show them, but it needs to be reported.”
“Uhm, I may have the evidence but I’m not sure how good it will do.”
“Why do you say that?” the agent asks.
I’m starting to get uncomfortable with this line of questioning. So, I just blurt it out to get it over with.
“Because he’s a very good lawyer, which means the law is already on his side,” Ink says from my left before I get a chance to open my mouth.
“Lawyer or not, if you have solid evidence against him then his status doesn’t matter,” Agent Tom says.
“The evidence I have is solid,” I say. “But, my reasoning for having it may not be believed.”
“Alright,” he says. “What’s your evidence?”
Just then, Sophia lets out an angry cry.
“My daughter,” I whisper. “Jack’s daughter.”
The guy’s all start swearing again while Blake tightens his hold on me and pulls me back against his body.
“That’s not the only evidence we have,” Bear says. “Four weeks ago, Bella was attacked while she was alone with her daughter. She was brutally beaten to the point that her brain was swollen. She spent three weeks in the hospital. Underwent severe brain surgery. As a result of that attack, she was left blind. We have all the evidence from the hospital, plus eyewitness accounts of people who saw Jack in the area at the time.”
