by Harley Wylde
“VP, everything’s set,” CJ said.
“Everything?” I asked. What the fuck did that mean?
“Convoy,” Scratch said. “You’ll ride with Josie, her kids, and Shadow. I’ll be with Clarity and my kids. Cinder is going to hold things down until I get all of you settled, then I’m coming back to make sure this shit gets handled.”
“I’ll be taking up the rear with Stripes,” CJ said. “And Irish and Killian will be up front.”
I frowned. “Does that leave anyone here? If Phantom, Jackal, and Renegade were with Havoc…”
“Shade’s here,” Scratch said. “And there are a few brothers you haven’t met. I’ve made sure they’ll be present as well. When all this is over, I’ll introduce you to Gator, Ripper, and Ashes. They tend to keep to themselves.”
“Just…” I bit my lip so I wouldn’t fucking cry in front of them. “Bring Havoc home.”
Scratch winked at me. “Won’t stop until he’s back safe and sound. Whatever it takes, I’ll bring him back to you. First, I need to be able to assure him you’re safe and out of harm’s way. Can’t do that if you’re still in town.”
“Fine. I’ll go without a fight. But I want updates.”
“I’ll assign someone to keep you up to date,” Scratch said. “I know you and Havoc have gotten close, and this probably isn’t the time…”
He nodded to someone behind me and I turned to see Killian heading over with a cut in his hand. He gave it to Scratch, who handed his kid off to Clarity then faced me fully. Opening the cut, he showed me the back and the front, and tears misted my eyes. It was a property cut like Clarity and Josie had, and mine said Property of Havoc.
“He ordered it a week ago, but said he was waiting for the right moment to give it to you. I’m not sending you off somewhere without a way to show all those fuckers you’re taken. Havoc would kick my ass if someone made a move on you while he was gone,” Scratch said. “And no, I’m not ashamed to say that beast of a man would try to stomp me into a mudhole.”
“Thank you,” I said softly, shrugging it on. I ran my hands over the black leather and tried really fucking hard not to cry.
“Everyone load up,” Scratch said. “The sooner I get all of you out of here, the quicker I can return.”
I heard booted steps heading toward us from the back of the clubhouse and turned to see Cinder coming our way. He looked tired, but power still rolled off him. Even without seeing the President patch on his cut, anyone with eyes would know he was in charge of things, and it wasn’t because of his silver hair. The man had a confidence I hadn’t seen that often, and a look in his eyes that made men twice his size back down. I knew that even Havoc wouldn’t dare go against Cinder, and not much of anything scared him. The way he carried himself, and the fuck you attitude, was enough to make everyone give him a wide berth.
Cinder eyed my property cut and smiled faintly. His gaze locked with mine, and I could see the concern there, but also resolution. No matter what it took, I knew he’d bring Havoc home to me. I didn’t know his background, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he’d ever been in the military or done some other work for the government. Probably dark shit no one was permitted to hear about. He seemed like the type of man who could get anything done, no matter the odds. And I was counting on that right now.
“Looks good on you, Jordan,” he said, patting my shoulder. “We’ll get Havoc back for you.”
“Thank you,” I said.
“You’re not going to fight us, are you?” Cinder asked. “I know you want to go after him yourself. Even if we haven’t spent time together, I’ve heard enough to know you aren’t a woman who likes to stand aside and let the men handle everything. Wouldn’t expect anything less of Havoc’s woman.”
“I don’t want to cause problems,” I said. “I know that if I stay, you’ll be more focused on me than on finding Havoc. It’s better for him if I go, even if I don’t want to.”
“Good girl,” Cinder said, patting my shoulder again.
The smartass half of me wanted to bark and ask if I was supposed to sit. Wisely, I kept my mouth shut. I doubted he’d appreciate my sarcasm right now. Or at any time for that matter. Cinder didn’t seem like the type of man who would tolerate a woman being anywhere other than in her place. And while Havoc liked my sass, I didn’t think the President of the Devil’s Boneyard would be as impressed with it, especially if it were aimed at him.
I followed Josie and her kids out to an SUV with blacked out windows. She nodded for me to take the front and she climbed in back with the kids. Shadow was already behind the wheel with the engine running, and the tense lines around his mouth and eyes said enough about how dire this situation was. I hadn’t had a chance to spend much time with any of the Boneyard members, but even I could tell that everyone was tense and ready for whatever may come next.
Josie spoke softly to the kids as the SUV pulled forward. The one ahead of us looked identical and I’d seen Scratch get into it with Clarity and their children. It was unbelievable that something so bad could happen that we’d have to leave the compound. Wasn’t this place supposed to be safe for us? Hadn’t that been why Havoc had insisted I not leave the gates unless I was protected? My stomach cramped and I felt my throat burning.
“Pull over!” I yelled.
Shadow jerked the wheel to the side and the vehicle hadn’t even stopped before I opened my door and threw up. I’d never been the type to scare easily, and I’d certainly never gotten sick from it before. My heart was pounding and booted feet appeared at the edge of my vision.
“Jordan, you okay?” CJ asked.
“Fear can make a woman sick,” said Stripes in his Russian accent.
“I’ve never seen Jordan get sick from being scared before,” CJ said. He moved in closer and rubbed my back. “Any chance you’re pregnant?”
My gaze shot to his. “Pregnant?”
He nodded. “You’ve been with Havoc for a few weeks now. I heard you say something to Jameson. It’s possible, right?”
“Y-Yeah.” My brow furrowed. “Wait. What do you know about pregnant women?”
CJ shrugged. “That’s a story for another time. Right now, we need to get you back on the road. It’s not safe to sit out here like this.”
“Your brother is right,” Stripes said as he scanned the area.
“I think I’m okay now,” I said, pressing a hand to my stomach.
“Here, rinse your mouth then sip on this,” CJ said, giving me a small bottle of water.
“Thanks.”
He helped me get situated in the SUV again, then shut the door. We were moving again a minute later and I hoped I could hold it together. I knew that Havoc had done his best to knock me up, and it was a definite possibility, but the idea of pregnancy and being faced with it were two different things. I’d heard stories of women trying for months or even years before they conceived. It hadn’t occurred to me that it would happen practically overnight. How likely was it I was pregnant after a few weeks?
The drive to the Devil’s Fury compound would have gone smoother if I hadn’t had to stop twice more to throw up. If this was pregnancy, I wanted to ask about returns because I wasn’t sure I wanted any part of it. I’d never done well with being sick. Guess it was too much to hope I’d be one of those beautifully pregnant women who glowed and loved every second of their pregnancy. If that’s what this even was. I could have just as easily picked up a bug.
Jameson greeted me with a hug then ushered me into what I assumed was their clubhouse. I only saw one woman and she didn’t look like a club whore. The way one of the men had his arm around her waist, I figured she must be his old lady, even if she wasn’t wearing a property cut.
The pretty woman came toward us, a smile on her face. “I’m Adalia. Welcome to the Devil’s Fury.”
Jameson coughed and gave her a pointed look that had the woman rolling her eyes.
“I’m Badger’s wife and my dad is the President of the club,” Adalia said. “I’ve had no end of
grief over leaving my property cut at home today, not that every member of this club doesn’t know who I am.”
“I’m Jordan,” I said, shaking her hand.
“She’s my sister,” Jameson said. “And the old lady of the Sergeant at Arms for Devil’s Boneyard it seems.”
He was eyeing my property cut and I smiled at him, though it felt forced. I wasn’t sure I could call myself that if something had happened to Havoc. What if he never returned? What if the explosion did more than just injure him? Did I still have a place with Devil’s Boneyard if Havoc was dead?
The room started spinning and I felt sick again.
“Bathroom!” Josie yelled. “Get her to a bathroom.”
Jameson scooped me up and went running toward the back of the clubhouse, which wasn’t the best move since it jostled my stomach. He kicked open a bathroom door and set me down just in time for me to dry heave. Whatever coffee and water I’d had in my stomach was long gone, and when we’d stopped for food, I hadn’t been able to bring myself to eat anything.
“Are you sick?” Jameson asked.
I glared at him from where I still knelt in front of the toilet. “No, I’m throwing up because everything is just peachy.”
“Smartass,” he mumbled.
“She might be pregnant,” CJ said, deciding to join us.
It almost made me feel like I was back home in middle school. Every time I tried to get alone time in the bathroom one or all of my brothers would push their way inside, being the nosy fuckers they are.
“Only one way to find out,” Jameson said. “I’ll go pick up one of every pregnancy test I can find, and we’ll see what they say.”
“It’s only been a few weeks, jackass,” I said. “I doubt those things will work that fast.”
CJ shrugged. “You’d be surprised. Some of them can tell from the first day of your missed period.”
“I still want to know how you know so much shit about pregnancy,” I said as I slowly climbed to my feet.
“He knocked up a girl six months ago,” Jameson said. “She was hit by a drunk driver. She died when she was only three months pregnant.”
I eyed CJ and could see the one thing he wanted to keep hidden from everyone. He was hurting. Whoever that girl had been, even if he hadn’t loved her, it was obvious he’d wanted that baby. Maybe he’d planned to be a happy family with the two of them. I hated that I was just now hearing about it. What else had they hidden from me while I serving time?
“I’ll get her situated if you want to grab whatever tests you think are best,” Jameson said.
“Where am I staying?”
“We have a few guest houses,” Jameson said. “Sometimes other clubs stop by for a few nights. Those who have old ladies tend to skip the partying and want a quiet spot. Each of you will have your own house while you’re here, mostly because three women and four kids won’t fit into just one of them. Not without you tripping over each other.”
“Fine. Take me to my temporary lodgings,” I said.
Clarity and Josie were already gone when I stepped back into the main part of the clubhouse, and I noticed their kids were absent too. Scratch was nowhere in sight, and Shadow was gone. I knew Scratch was going back home and I wondered who else would be leaving. I could only imagine how scared Clarity and Josie must be. Scratch might be okay right now, but who knew what he was going back to? And Jackal… My heart hurt for Josie. She still couldn’t reach him, and I hoped that didn’t mean he was missing also, or worse… dead.
Guilt weighed heavy on me. I’d brought this to their door. If I’d refused Havoc’s help, if I’d just walked away that first day, then none of this would have happened. Yeah, I would possibly be dead right now, but how many others were going to lose their lives? Jackal and Scratch both had families. If something happened to them, their women and kids would be alone. I hated myself a little. I should have been stronger.
The house Jameson said would be mine while I was with Devil’s Fury was cute. It was a two-bedroom, one-bath bungalow that had a lot of windows. A sun porch ran across the back of the house, and I knew I’d spend a lot of time out there. If I stayed. What if I gave myself up to Slater? I pressed a hand to my stomach again. No. If I was pregnant, then I had to protect my child at all costs. But if I wasn’t…
When CJ showed up with a sack full of pregnancy tests, I opened each box and read the instructions. Each one said it was best to take it first thing in the morning. Neither of my brothers were listening though, so I found myself peeing on three of the sticks then waiting to see the results. I’d saved two for the morning just to make sure.
Jameson and CJ crowded me as we stared at the sticks. The results showed up one after the other, and it felt a little like the world was tilting. The room spun and Jameson had to wrap an arm around me to keep me upright.
“So, looks like we’re going to be uncles,” he told CJ.
And that’s when the dam broke. I sobbed harder than I ever had before. Havoc should have been here for this moment. It should have been him waiting with me to see the results, the one holding me. If he were here, we could have celebrated. All I felt was anguish that my child might never know their father.
“Stress isn’t good for her,” CJ said. “We need to calm her the fuck down.”
That just made me cry harder, mostly because I’d been convinced CJ hated me. But he was being sweet and supportive. There were times in the past he’d shown he cared for me, even if most the time we fought like siblings tend to do. Then I’d been sentenced to prison and it was like everyone had turned their backs on me. Knowing he was there for me now felt really damn good.
“I’m calling Adalia,” Jameson said. “She’ll know what to do.”
Eventually, the tears dried up and all I felt was pain. If Havoc didn’t come home, I didn’t know what I’d do. No, we hadn’t been together all that long, but he’d quickly become the most important person in my world. I loved him, and I knew that even if he didn’t come back, I would love him every day the rest of my life. There would never be another man for me.
Where are you, Havoc? Please come home!
Chapter Ten
Havoc
Motherfucking Slater! When I got my hands on that piece of shit, I was going to rip him into pieces with my bare hands. The spineless coward had hooked up with some of the worst scum, but it had backfired on him. Yeah, he might have managed to take a few of my brothers down, myself included, but he’d also pissed off the people who supposedly had his back. I glared at him as he pathetically leaned against the cell wall next to mine. Only bars separated us, and if he were close enough, I’d reach through and smash his head against them a few hundred times.
I mourned the brothers who had been with me when that bomb went off, but even worse, I worried about what would happen to Jordan. If I didn’t get back to my club soon and they thought I was dead, would they kick her out? We didn’t exactly have a precedence for something like this since Scratch and Jackal were the only ones with old ladies. Until now. I’d never even had a chance to give Jordan the property cut I’d had made for her.
She was going to be fucking pissed when she realized what I’d done. Never had I regretted something as much as I regretted not telling her goodbye, or saying I loved her one last time. At the very least, I should have left a note. I’d just worried she’d try to follow me, and I hadn’t wanted her in the middle of shit. If I ever saw her again, I’d probably get an earful.
My body ached from head to toe. The blast had thrown me into a wall, knocking me the fuck out. And now I found myself cooling my heels in a cozy cell. I hadn’t seen Jackal, Phantom, or Renegade. If they’d survived, I was certain they would have been locked up alongside me. Which meant they probably were gone. Josie and the kids would be alone now, and it was my fucking fault. I’d known that it seemed too easy.
“Boss wants to speak to you,” one of the guards said, stopping in front of my cage.
“Then I guess he’d better get his ass
down here.”
The man snorted. “Yeah. You’re coming with me. Try anything, and I’ll put a bullet in you. Boss prefers you alive, but I don’t give a shit.”
“Fine. Let’s go talk to the man in charge.”
I stepped out of the cell when he unlocked the door, and he immediately pressed a gun to the back of my head. It was almost too easy, which meant I should probably just follow orders and see what happened. I could get his gun from him and try to make my way out of this hellhole, but at what cost? I didn’t have any clue about their numbers or where the guards were stationed. I’d probably end up shot anyway.
We passed several more cages, and I didn’t see any of my brothers locked up. The man with the gun prodded me up the stairs and into what seemed to be some sort of fighting arena. We passed three rings with bare-knuckle fights going on, then went down a dark hall. A door marked Office was straight ahead, and the guy shoved me inside.
“You didn’t come cheap,” the asshole said from behind the desk.
“You’re not Demonic Reign,” I said, knowing for damn sure I’d seen them with Slater before that bomb had gone off.
“No. They were only too happy to make a trade though. You and Slater in exchange for a tidy sum, and their promise to leave the area without causing more trouble.”
“Who the fuck are you?” I asked. “And where am I?”
“My name is Raul Silva, and you’re in my domain now. You’re a big one.” He smiled. “Here’s how this works. You want your freedom, you’re going to work for it. Do as I say, when I say, and in six months I’ll let you walk out of here.”
Six months? It was a long ass time to be away from Jordan, and for my club to not know where the fuck I was. And there was no guarantee this dickhead would keep his word. What if I played along and then in six months he decided I had to stay longer?
“Never heard of you,” I said, hoping he’d volunteer more information.
“You’re in South America, Mr. Havoc. I run a few establishments down this way. Illegal fights mostly. That’s where you come in. I need a champion.”
