Keys To My Cuffs (The Heroes of The Dixie Wardens MC Book 4)

by Lani Lynn Vale

  “Yes,” she confirmed. “But I was on the way to visit my dad in Texas. My mom and I were having a road trip.”

  I looked around the car, not seeing the mom anywhere, which made me worry that the girl hit her head harder than I’d thought.

  We spoke for nearly an hour.

  Emergency crews responded within minutes of my call, but there were just so many people to be seen, that it took time to get help to everybody.

  At one point, a man wearing fire gear walked up, assessed the patient, and told me to continue what I was doing.

  I did, and watched the hectic world around me.

  I saw Loki pop up every now and then, as well as Silas and Cleo, but I didn’t see the two younger ones until much later in the day.

  ***

  It was my screaming bladder that finally sent me away from the pandemonium.

  Judith had been cut out of her car, and I’d stood by watching anxiously. I’d forged a bond with the sweet young woman over the past couple hours, and I felt an attachment to her that I couldn’t explain.

  However, when my bladder decided that it wouldn’t hold any longer, I dashed towards the woods and walked until I could no longer see anyone or anything before relieving myself.

  Then I went to the truck, grabbed a blanket out of the back, and waited, not sure what else to do.

  I could see all of the men in my group, but they were all hard at work helping the crews make sense of the accident.

  I shivered, still overwhelmed with the destruction.

  Placing my hands on the hood of Loki’s truck, I hoisted myself up until I was sitting on it, and then leaned back against the windshield and surveyed the area.

  “Ma’am?” A motherly voice said from behind me.

  I jumped and sat up to find an older woman in jeans and a sweatshirt standing there, smiling fondly at me.

  “Yes?” I asked.

  “I’m Judith’s mother. I just wanted to say thank you for staying with her. You’re a very good woman,” she smiled sweetly.

  I blinked, and then a beaming smile overtook my face.

  “Oh, I’m so happy to see that you’re okay. Did you know that they sent Judith to the hospital already? I asked.

  She nodded. “Yes, I did. I just wanted to thank you.”

  “Oh,” I said, blushing slightly. “It wasn’t any big deal. I’d bet you would’ve done the same for me.”

  She nodded sagely. “I would’ve. Please take care of that baby of yours. They truly change your life.”

  I looked down at my body, wondering how she could tell. I mean, it was obvious to me that I was pregnant, but my own boyfriend couldn’t tell, so how was it that she did?

  When I looked back up again, the woman was gone.

  I leaned back against the windshield of the truck, and my eyes closed involuntarily.

  When they opened once again, it was to find Loki rubbing my thigh gently and talking to me in soothing tones.

  “Channing, baby? Are you ready to go?” Loki’s rough voice said from below me.

  My eyes opened, and the first thing I saw was a dark night sky scattered with millions of stars.

  Turning my head, I looked down at the man that I loved.

  Yes, I said I loved. I knew I loved him.

  After today, I realized how fast life could change. How, in one single second, everything could be cloudy, with no path in sight. Then a single moment in time could change my world, clear the cobwebs, and show me the route I needed to take.

  “I love you,” I whispered.

  He froze.

  “What’d you say?” He rasped.

  The light from the street lamp above our heads shone down, casting him in an eerie white light.

  He looked beat. Utterly and thoroughly beat.

  “I said, I love you,” I said louder.

  He blinked, and then his face broke into a sad smile.

  “I love you, too.”

  Chapter 17

  Me, crazy? I should get down off this unicorn and slap you.

  -E-card

  Channing

  I walked into the room slowly, wondering what I’d find when I got on the other side of the wall.

  We’d shown up so late last night, that I didn’t meet Loki’s mom. We’d just gone straight to bed after showering.

  I’d woken to an empty bed, and the afternoon sun shining in through the wooden blinds straight into my eyes.

  I’d gotten dressed in a pair of sweats that were out of Loki’s bag, the same ones I’d worn just yesterday; even though it felt like the night at the safe house was eons ago.

  Which led me to now.

  I was walking as quietly as possible, not that I understood why.

  “She’s been sleeping a really long time, honey. Maybe we should go check on her,” a woman’s voice said.

  I stopped in the kitchen doorway in time to see an older man, wearing blue jeans and a black t-shirt reply. “Andrea, Bryce said to let her sleep, so you’re going to let her sleep. He said they witnessed that pile up on I-10 yesterday. The poor girl needs sleep; what she does not need is to be badgered on whether she’s planning to bring any grandchildren into the world any time soon.”

  He was tall, with buzzed gray hair, and a five o’clock shadow that really made him look good. He reminded me a lot of George Clooney, in a rougher, more bad-ass kind of way.

  I smiled, and my hand absently fell over my stomach. Which reminded me that I’d managed not to barf this morning. Score one for me!

  “I wasn’t going to badger her about a baby. I was going to make sure she was okay. That’s all,” the woman said.

  She was cute. She had a short, pixie haircut that allowed her red hair to flow freely around her face. She had laugh lines around her eyes and mouth, offset by a peach colored lipstick that matched her flowy chevron printed dress to perfection.

  She looked like one of those people that probably got dressed up just to run to the supermarket, but that was all right.

  “I’m awake,” I said, startling the two of them.

  Both of their eyes pinned me to the spot, and I waited patiently while they surveyed me for long moments.

  “Channing!” Loki’s mom exclaimed. “Come over here. Are you hungry? I’ve started sandwiches, but I’m more than happy to make you anything you want.”

  I shook my head and walked up to the kitchen island where they were standing side by side making said sandwiches. “No, sandwiches sound heavenly, thank you. Can I help?”

  “No, girly girl, you just sit right there and take a load off. We’ll make the sandwiches. Anything special on yours?”

  I pursed my lips and thought about it for a few moments. “Pickles. Lots of pickles. And relish. And olives if you have any.”

  “Pickles used to be my favorite when I was pregnant. Sounds like they’re your kryptonite, too,” she smiled wistfully.

  I blinked at her stupidly. “H-how did you know?”

  “That would be because I told her,” Loki said from behind me.

  I turned in surprise to find him leaning against the entranceway of the kitchen. He said it so casually that it took me a few moments to react.

  “How did you know?” I glared.

  He gave me a ‘you’ve got to be joking’ look. “Honey, I’ve been a police officer for a long time now. I’m not stupid. I can put two and two together to make pregnant.”

  I snorted, which was repeated by the two behind me.

  “Well, you could’ve at least said something,” I accused. “I’ve been trying to tell you for a while, I just didn’t’ know how to.”

  “Would’ve been nice to know here, too. How long have you known?” Loki’s stepfather asked from behind me.

  I turned to find him staring at his wife.

  She raised her eyes. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

  He pointed the mayonnaise-covered knife at her. “I’ll remember this.”


  “Ohh, I’m so scared,” she said sarcastically, as she waved her hands in the air.

  I was too busy reeling about the revelation that Loki knew to continue listening to their bantering.

  When I felt his body behind me, I turned to look up at him. “How long have you known?”

  “After our shower the other night. I felt pretty dumb that I hadn’t put those two things together before that. Some detective I am,” he muttered.

  I laid my head against his chest, and listened to his slow and steady heartbeat. Cool as a cucumber. No freaking out, or screaming, as I’d feared. Only calmness.

  “You’re okay with it?” I whispered against his t-shirt covered chest.

  “It’s not the most ideal of situations, but I’m not unhappy about it. Do I wish we were married first? Yes. With that said, that doesn’t mean that I’m not over the moon about being a father. I wished you would’ve told me earlier, though. Not that I don’t understand what kept you from telling me, however.”

  I nodded against his chest. “I missed a doctor’s appointment yesterday, FYI. I rescheduled for the day after Christmas, so we have to make sure I’m home by then. It’s the important one where they test my blood sugar and all that fun stuff.”

  He rumbled his agreement. “I’ll get you there.”

  “Well, now that that’s settled, how about some lunch?” Loki’s mom clapped.

  ***

  “This is a really nice place you have here,” I said to Andrea.

  I’d started out calling Loki’s mom Mrs. Merritt, but she’d nipped that one pretty darn quick. “You call me Andrea...or mom. You’re family,” she’d said.

  “Oh, yes. This is a big step up from where I lived with Bryce. Zeth is so good to me,” she smiled wistfully.

  We were sitting on the back porch watching while Zeth, Loki’s stepfather, and Loki worked on the motor of the boat that was tied to their dock.

  Sterling, Cleo, Parker, and Silas all sat on the dock, bullshitting with the two inside of the boat.

  “I wouldn’t mind the water every once in a while, but after Katrina, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to live this close to water ever again,” I shivered.

  Andrea turned to me, rotating until her foot was planted in the chair, and smiled sadly. “I don’t like hurricane season much, either. Zeth’s been trying to get me to leave for a couple years now. He wants to move to somewhere that has four defined seasons, but I just can’t bear to give this place up.”

  “I don’t see how you could either. It’s majestic,” I said.

  It felt beautiful out. The sun wasn’t too hot, the weather wasn’t obscenely humid. The ocean breeze felt damn near perfect.

  Zeth and Andrea lived on the bay. Although it was waterfront, they didn’t have any beach at all, which is one thing I would’ve liked to have if I’d ever had the choice.

  “So, tell me how you met Loki. He’s told me about you, but not how y’all met,” she said excitedly.

  I giggled. “Oh, well the first day I met him, I got into a fight with my brother about mowing the lawn. When he refused, I did it even though my asthma was acting up, which was incredibly stupid; but, at the time, I was mad and not thinking straight. Loki helped me when I had the asthma attack that I should’ve expected.”

  “Oh, dear. That’s awful. He’s a helpful boy like that, though. He’d do all the housework while I was at work. And he was always very neat. He was the most unusual child.” She shook her head.

  I snorted. “If I leave a sock on the floor, he picks it up and puts it in the appropriate place. And God help me if I don’t put the toilet paper back on the roll correctly,” I shook my finger at her.

  She laughed. “Oh, yes. That’s my Bryce. I can’t wait till this baby comes and ruins his orderly life!”

  I agreed wholeheartedly. “I’ve never actually been with him for more than a couple of days. So it definitely should be interesting, if nothing else.”

  I would’ve continued with that line of thought, but my phone rang, indicating it was Brittany.

  “I’m sorry, if you’ll excuse me. It’s my boss,” I said as I stood and walked down the steps.

  I stopped when my feet met the edge of the lawn and answered. “Hello?”

  “Where are you?” Brittany asked.

  “Long story. Did Cabe not tell you I’d be gone until after Christmas break?” I asked.

  “Yes... but you’ve been gone a long time. I thought you’d be back by now. A call would’ve been nice, though,” she snapped.

  I sighed. “I’m sorry. It’s just that everything happened so freakin’ fast. Then the accident happened.”

  “Yeah, I saw that accident. You made the news,” she said mournfully. “I heard about the young girl you helped after the mom was killed.”

  “Wait,” I startled. “What do you mean the mom was killed?”

  “That’s just what I mean...don’t you remember? You were the one that was there,” she asked, baffled.

  “The mom didn’t die. I spoke to her,” I said with a shake of my head.

  I hadn’t realized how high and alarmed my voice was starting to sound until I had Loki walking down the dock towards me.

  The mom didn’t die, did she? Did something happen after the wreck?

  Loki came to a stop a few inches away from me and waited.

  “Yeah, the girl you were talking to, her mom died after being ejected from the car. The dad met the daughter at the emergency room later that night. Supposedly, he’s some big wig in congress. It’s all over the news,” she said slowly.

  “I’ll call you back,” I said quickly before hanging up.

  “What is it?” He asked as soon as the phone was away from my ear.

  “That girl I was speaking with yesterday...did you see her?” I asked.

  He nodded. “Sure, but I didn’t stay very long. I checked the mom, too. She was DOI,” he said warily.

  “DOI?” I asked.

  “Dead on impact,” he confirmed.

  “Wait...what?” I asked, running my hands through my hair.

  The band holding it up came loose, and my long locks tumbled free, but I paid them no mind.

  “She was dead. She wasn’t wearing her seatbelt. Went through the passenger side window when the truck hit her. Then her body made contact with the ground. Her injuries were incompatible with life,” he confirmed.

  My eyes must have shown my horror and sorrow, because he pulled me into his arms and wrapped me up tight.

  “She...she thanked me for watching over her little girl. Was that not the mom?” I asked.

  I was blubbering now, barely making any sense. Loki understood me, though. At least for the most part, anyway.

  “Who thanked you? Whoever it was wasn’t the mom, though. The mom was...” I slapped my hand over his mouth, stopping him from saying she was dead again.

  Pulling out my phone, I googled the accident, and the first thing I saw was the young girl I’d helped, as well as her father, the senator’s devastated face as he gave a press conference earlier that morning.

  Clicking on the video clip, I watched in silence as the Senator, Malcom Young, thanked the city and state police, the first responders, and that ‘special young woman’ who made a difference at the time his daughter needed it the most.

  Then, the man’s wife was on the screen. The same woman I’d had thank me after I’d left the scene.

  “That’s her,” I said, pausing it and showing it to Loki. “That’s the woman who thanked me.”

  He looked at the phone, then at me. Then he shook his head. “That’s fucked. That’s the same woman who was dead. There’s no way she spoke to you. Her brains were splattered on the...”

  I turned around and sprinted up the dock and into the house, passing a concerned looking Andrea on my way.

  I made it to the bathroom just in time to drop down on my knees and throw up the remainder of my lunch that hadn’t had the chanc
e to digest yet.

  “I’m fucking nuts,” I said once I caught my breath.

  When I finally got my bearings, I stood, surprised to find that Loki hadn’t followed me.

  When I flushed and washed my hands, I went to find him and didn’t have to look far.

  I found him staring at the TV, watching a breaking news cast with the phone to his ear.

  “No, Trance. How would he know where we are? My mom’s name is changed. They live in a new house. I didn’t take my bike. I’m not wearing anything that identifies me. I’m safe. Keep an eye on Big Red, though. He may be able to take care of himself, but it’s better to be safe than sorry, right?” He relayed into the phone.

  He snorted. “I’d check his friends. Tell the DA to make a deal with them, too, if they’re willing to give away anything on his whereabouts. Dortea will do it. Plus, he doesn’t have much else to go on. He wants me and he won’t be able to find me.”

  He threw the controller down on the couch and grabbed what little hair he had on his head between his fists. “Fuck yes. Yes, check my house. Check Channing’s too. You could just do a stakeout there. Yeah, he’ll go there. He’ll go back to his place, too. I know he has shit stored somewhere. Probably buried it in the backyard.”

  “Okay,” he nodded and turned.

  I must’ve made some noise, because I’d actually startled him.

  “Yeah,” a smile overtook his face. “No, Lucy has a mind of his own. I can’t help that he showed your puppies how to dig out of the yard. What do you want me to do from a thousand miles away?”

  “Alright. Thanks. Bye,” he said before hanging up.

  “What’s up?” I asked.

  My voice sounded raw.

  He pursed his lips. “Varian, somehow, escaped from the transport today. Fuckin’ blows my mind, because he didn’t even know when, where, or how he was being transferred. Whoever helped him must’ve been just lying in fuckin’ wait.”

  My insides shriveled up even more. “So now we have Varian out of prison? Are we even safe here anymore?”

  He thought about it for a few moments before answering. “Yes. I believe so. But I’m going to stay at an inn instead of here. Just in case. I don’t see him coming this way; but, just in case, I don’t want to put them in danger.”