Chapter 8 Trish

" M ama."

Creed crawled onto the couch between me and Grim, resting his head on my lap.

"What is it, baby?"

"I'm hot."

My hand moved to his forehead, finding it warm. Too warm.

He had a fever.

"Aw, does anything hurt?"

"My mouth." He opened it and pointed to his back teeth.

Grim reached for Creed. "Let me see, son." After he looked inside, Grim frowned. "Looks like some swollen nubs in there."

Creed's eyes widened. "What are nubs?"

"Well, when you're a big, strong, growing boy, your teeth get bigger too. They grow in, and sometimes it hurts a little," Grim explained.

"I don't like it."

Grim's lips twitched. "I don't like to hurt either." He ruffled Creed's hair. "Why don't we give you some Tylenol chewies, and you snuggle with Daddy? We can watch Cars."

Creed loved the Cars movies, anything with cars, trucks, or motorcycles. Like his father, he was a gearhead.

After setting up my guys with snacks, drinks, and a blanket, I brought Creed Tylenol chewies. He loved the grape flavor. I planned to check in with the pediatrician, but I guessed Creed's two-year molars were coming in. He kept sniffling, too, another sign that confirmed it. He always had a clear run when he was teething as a baby.

Grim had stretched out on our sofa. The big, inked biker barely fit across it but shared the space with our son. Creed snuggled beside him, propping Cuddles on Grim's chest. Adorable.

I checked in with my sister, pausing in the doorway of the guest room. "Are you all packed?" I asked Faith. "Need any help?"

"Nope. This is the last of it."

"I can't believe you're leaving already. This visit went by way too fast."

"I know." She shut her suitcase and zipped it up. "I'll try to come back sooner. We shouldn't go half a year before we see one another."

"I agree."

I helped her bring all the luggage into the living room. We set it by the door, finalizing the last of the details before we drove to the airport. She needed to leave soon, as her flight departed in two hours.

I turned to the couch, intending to tell Grim I'd be gone for a few hours, when I found him asleep. Creed clutched his bear to his chest, eyes closed. They looked so precious I had to get a picture. I pulled my phone out of my pocket and snapped a few photos.

Grim had become a wonderful, loving father to his son. I thought I couldn't love him more until I saw how he cared for his child, was patient and understanding, and taught him about life with skills I could never imitate.

"Auntie Trish?"

I blinked, turning to Jessa. "Yeah, honey?"

"I'm going to miss you and Creed."

"What about Uncle Dex?" Faith asked.

"He's growly."

Yeah, Grim could be intimidating without realizing it.

"Jessa," Faith warned.

"What, Mommy? You said always tell the truth."

I snickered. "Yes, telling the truth is important."

"See?"

Faith sighed. "She's a handful."

No doubt about it. My sister could handle her daughter and the new baby. She was a great mother.

"Well, we should get going."

Faith nodded. "Let's go, Jessa."

Grim and Creed rested as I locked the door. On my way downstairs, I spotted Shadow and Zane, who helped us carry out the luggage and pack one of the SUVs.

It wasn't long before we arrived at the airport and parked, checking in at the terminal to print tickets. I walked Faith and Jessa to the gate, already trying not to cry.

"Hey," she whispered when she turned to me. "Don't start that. With my hormones, I'll be bawling the entire plane ride."

"I know," I sniffled. "Give me a hug."

She held on for longer than I would have thought before we separated. Jessa threw her little arms around my legs.

"Auntie Trish, bear hug."

I picked her up, wrapping her in my embrace as I squeezed. "Is that good?"

"Yes!"

I set her back down, smiling as she reached for Faith's hand. "Let me know when you arrive home safe so I don't worry."

"I will. Love you, sis."

"Love ya back."

As soon as I turned away from my sister, I fought tears. They stung my eyes, and I blinked rapidly, lifting my chin as I walked through the airport. I probably should have been aware of my surroundings, but I wasn't. I hated goodbyes.

When I reached the SUV, I clicked the fob and opened the driver's side door. I sat down, tossed my purse on the passenger side, and closed the door. Out of habit, I hit the lock button and glanced in the mirror. Dashing under my eyes, I removed the few tears that had fallen.

I had the weirdest feeling as I reached for my seatbelt and draped it across my chest. My skin prickled with awareness. It was strange. I clicked the belt into place and started the engine, lifting my head to scan the parking garage.

When I initially arrived, I backed in so it would be easier to unload all the luggage. Facing the lane in front of me and another row of cars, I found a stranger leaning against a black truck. It wasn't the vehicle that worried me.

The man stood still, staring at me through the windshield. He wore the same hoodie as the man from the play area where I brought Faith and Jessa last week.

In fact, I would bet it was the same person.

Shit.

He didn't move. Like our previous encounter, he never spoke or tried to contact me. He just stared .

Now, I was creeped out.

Whatever this man wanted, I didn't care to find out. I pushed on the gas and sped out of the lot, taking the turns a little too fast. Luckily, I didn't run into much traffic. I breathed a sigh of relief when I left the stranger far behind.

One of my favorite songs popped up on the radio, and I turned up the volume, rocking out as I drove. About twenty minutes outside of Tonopah, I felt the car jolt. My gaze flicked to the rearview mirror. Behind me, the black truck revved its engine, gunning toward me a second time.

Fuck!

I pressed down on the gas pedal, picking up speed. This lunatic was trying to kill me!

With a shaky finger, I pushed the phone symbol on the steering wheel. "Call Dex."

"Calling Dex," the robotic, husky female voice replied.

The line rang five times before Grim answered. "Babe?"

"Someone is following me from the airport."

"What?"

"A guy is wearing a hoodie, and I can't see his face. He's driving a black truck. Grim, he hit the back bumper once already."

"Fuck, babe. Stay calm. Where are you?"

"Too far out," I screamed as the guy hit me again, a little harder than last time. "Dex!"

"Trish, hold on, baby. I'm riding out right now!"

"What about Creed?"

Yeah, I needed to know my son was safe at that moment.

"He's good. Sasha is with him."

Sasha. Thank fuck.

Flashing lights appeared as the high beams switched on behind me, glaring through the rearview mirror. It hurt my eyes as I tried to focus on the road.

"Where are you, Trish?"

The rumble of motorcycles came through the line.

"About five miles out."

"We're on our way. You keep drivin', baby. Hear me? You'll see me real soon."

"Okay." The tremor in my voice betrayed my anxiety.

Glancing at the truck, I noticed he had slowed down. The vehicle became smaller in the mirror as the distance between us grew. Before long, I could only see a black spec that disappeared into the desert.

Shaken, I bit my lip, trying to remain in control.

I saw Grim's bike along with a half dozen other Royal Bastards. They rode fast toward me as I pressed on the brake, skidding to a halt on the side of the road.

Grim swung his bike toward me, gravel flying behind his tire as he finally stopped. I watched him lift off the seat and run toward me, flinging open the door.

I was in his arms, trembling, as he smoothed my hair, trying to calm me. "Babe." I leaned back, staring into the face of the Reaper. With a jolt, I blinked.

"Not tryin' to scare you."

"I know."

"Worried. Pissed." The words left his lips with an inhuman growl.

This version of Dex, the man I loved, was more Grim Reaper than biker.

"I'm scared."

"Not anymore. I'm here. You're safe."

"Okay."

"Babe, we need to talk. I don't know what's happening, but you can't go anywhere alone. Not until I figure this out. Okay? Promise me."

His Reaper had receded once he knew I was physically unharmed. I stared into the handsome face of my biker boyfriend. Well, my old man. My rider or die. Truly, other than Creed, he was my everything.

"I promise."