Chapter 27

27

ESTELLE

Four weeks later

"How was it?" I smile as Tilly walks into the kitchen. She's been seeing a therapist and she's started doing yoga classes with Bella, Priest's ol' lady, at her studio.

While Tilly has made progress, she has been having night terrors and flashbacks. Her memory is slowly coming back, and I've often feared she's blocking some of the events from coming to the surface.

I never want her to feel pain ever again. I never want her to suffer.

"It was really good." She sits down next to me on the stool at Nevada's kitchen bench. We've been spending a lot of time here, though I've offered Tilly my apartment to stay in because her living arrangements changed while she was kidnapped.

A few of her friends have been over, but I know what a strain it is on her to have to relive the questions all over again. She's been through enough. The women of the MC don't ask those questions. They're a sisterhood and they seem to understand that some topics are off limits.

Luna, Summer, Stella, Jas, Payden and Manny have all been super supportive, even Deanna and Crystal who are busy with their babies. Everyone wants to help and it feels like a family. More of a family than either of us have ever known.

"I'm glad."

"Luna and Payden are going to the movies later tonight, they asked me to come," she says.

I try not to show the anxiety in my face, but my palms instantly tingle. I've been this way ever since she came back. I worry about her more than ever.

"Are you going to go?" I ask casually.

"Maybe."

"I can drive you."

She glances at me. "You don't have to baby me."

"I'm not doing that. You've been through a lot, and you're still dealing with what happened to you. I'm just trying to be a good sister."

She places her hands over mine. "I'm okay, sis. I may have a long way to go, but I'm doing good. Some days are better than others. But you don't have to worry." She looks down at our hands. "Do you miss her?"

I frown. "Who?"

"Our mother?"

I suck in a long, silent breath. "I miss what we could've had, every day."

"Do you think she was just doing her best?"

I think I gave up that thought a long time ago. Neglect is a big thing, and Tilly's needs were not being met, which is why I stepped in when I did. Though, I don't want to upset her or remind her of any of that. "I believe she knew what she knew. She fought a lot of demons in her life."

She's quiet for a while. "I really liked Diamond and the girls."

A fear I've been holding onto for a long time sweeps over me. The fear of never seeing her again. The Stilettos were really cool. What they do is amazing. I'm so glad that they intervened. It's because of them that you're here now, safe and sound."

"I was never able to settle anywhere, even before I was kidnapped."

I hate it when she just blurts these things out. But that's the reality; she was kidnapped. "Okay." I'm waiting for the clincher.

"And I thought I might like to go back and visit sometime."

"Of course we can do that. Anytime you want."

She smiles again. "Thank you, Star. For looking for me. For everything you did while I was gone. I owe you everything."

"You know I'd never stop looking. No matter what."

"It was a lot though, on you emotionally."

I can't deny that it was, but I don't want to make her feel bad. "I always felt in my heart you were still with us. Everything fell into place."

"It did. And I have you to thank for it. Without the contacts you made in Mississippi, we may never have connected the dots."

Everything did work out, and for that I'm forever grateful. As Diamond once told me; it's not like that for every girl that gets rescued.

I know for sure I want to help in any way I can, even if it's offering my services for other people for free to help find their loved ones. It's a passion that I'm now fully immersed in because there is no living your own life when someone you love has been trafficked. There is no rock that you won't look under if it might lead you to them.

The front door closes and we both look up. Nevada walks in with a bag of groceries.

I smile. Mr. Domestic.

He's been very sweet and sensitive since we got back, and it's like the man thinks I'm made of glass. It isn't even me who went through any of what Tilly's been through, but he knows what I had to do to get there.

"Hello ladies." He grins at us.

"You look perky, what happened?"

"Does there have to be a reason why I'm whistlin' my own tune?"

Tilly giggles. Thank God the two of them get along, and he's been very patient with her and gives us all the time we need to reconnect.

I smile. "I guess not."

He turns to Tills. "How you feelin'?" He asks her the same thing every day.

"I'm good." I hope someday she'll say it with conviction, but she has all the support she needs. Healing takes time, and she doesn't have to be in any kind of hurry to get there. As long as she's under no stress or pressure, that's all that matters.

"Thought we could make nachos for dinner," Nevada says. "Movie night?"

He does these cute things too; he's trying to be helpful and make things normal for Tilly, and it makes me love him all the more.

"Yum," Tilly says. "Though, I might be going out to the movies with Luna and Payden."

Nevada's eyes shift to mine. "Hot date night then, babe?"

I roll my eyes. "Not if your mom's joining us."

He chuckles. "I called in to drop the groceries off, gonna head to the workshop for a little bit. You'll be okay here?" He's also Mr. Overprotective nowadays.

"Of course we will." I know this is him trying to be supportive of the both of us. He's like this with his mom, too.

He leans over to kiss me quickly. "I'll be back around eight, okay?"

I nod. "Okay."

When he's gone, Tilly smiles to herself.

"What?" I nudge her.

"You've got a sweet man right there. He really cares about you."

"I know." I wrap my arms around myself. "He really does."

"And you said you'd never fall for a man ever again after…" She frowns, and I'm glad she doesn't remember that douchebag's name. It's a blessing. I wish I could forget him too.

"Assface?"

She laughs. "Yeah."

"I guess things work out in the most mysterious ways."

"He does have some cute friends."

I've only taken her to the clubhouse once. I know she loves the Stiletto Riders, but the NOLA Rebels are quite a far cry from an all-women's MC. I don't want to expose her to anything that may be triggering.

"Don't even think about it."

She rests her head on my shoulder. "Are you going to wrap me in bubble wrap my entire life?"

"Nope. But for now, I just need to know you're safe."

"I am. I promise."

"I'm here, no matter what."

She squeezes my arm. "You certainly are."

I glance at her. "Am I too much?"

Her eyes are kind and gentle. "No. You're like the mom I never really had. And I've always loved you for that, for giving me everything."

It warms my heart to hear her say that. "I love you too, sis. It's my job to worry about you, ever since you were a kid."

"Oh God, you were bad."

I laugh. "Yeah, I guess I've always had a temper."

"Whatever happens, we have each other. Always. Remember?"

She nods. "Always."

I let the moment sink in, and for the first time in a long time, I make peace with the past. Everything my mom put me through and how she left us to fend for ourselves. How the men in my life never showed up, and when my sister was snatched, the toll it took on my sanity trying to get her back. But this isn't about me, none of it is. All I've ever done past and present is so Tilly can have a better life. And this is me keeping that promise.

I could have gone with Tilly, Luna and Payden to the movies, but since my little sister thinks I'm wrapping her in bubble wrap, I decided to go and visit Nevada at his workshop instead. That way I keep myself busy and don't go stalking the movies waiting for my sister to emerge.

When I get there, I see Nevada's motorcycle in the lot and pull up to park next to him. It's dark out, and I didn't even tell him I was coming. I've always had a fantasy about doing it in his workshop. He's so sexy when he wears those overalls.

When I enter, the light is dim and I'm about to call out when I hear voices. Nevada's and a female's. My heart rate spikes. Why would a woman be in here?

My mind races with the possibilities until I get a little closer.

"You're actin' crazy, Louise," I hear Nevada say. "Put the gun down and we can talk about this."

Gun? I freeze in my tracks. Holy shit.

I didn't bring my piece, but I do have my knives.

They're facing to the side . Nevada is standing by a car in his overalls, and a woman is holding a gun, pointed at his head. "You lied to me, Nevada. Admit it!"

"No, I didn't, Louise. We had fun, that's all it was. I made it clear."

"No. No, the way you looked at me… the way we fucked… it was… it was so much more than fun." Her hand is shaky, her voice no better. "You felt it, say you felt it!"

"This is crazy." He takes a step and she clutches her other hand on top of the gun.

"Don't!"

He stops in his tracks. "We can talk about this, babe. You don't need to go gettin' all nuts over it." I know he's just trying to talk her down, and imagining them together isn't the time or the place for jealousy. She's trigger happy, and probably crazy enough to shoot him.

Fear laces through me, but I have the element of surprise.

Out of the corner of his eye, I see Nevada's head turn slightly. Did he see me? Does he know I'm here? Maybe he heard my car?

"I don't want to talk. You won't take my calls, and who's that woman hanging around your house?"

Oh shit, she's been stalking us at his house?

I reach inside the sheath of my boot and pull my knife out, creeping closer. "She's nobody, babe. You know me. I don't have girlfriends."

"Liar! She's been staying there. I saw her, and at the clubhouse."

Oh God. She's been there, too?

He holds up his hands. "Just calm down and give me the gun."

"Not until you tell me who she is!" Her voice is becoming more erratic by every passing second.

"She's a friend. Nothin' more, got me?"

She lets out a strange sound, not a scream but also not a laugh, something in between. "You expect me to believe that? Did you fuck her, Nevada? Just like you fucked me?"

"No, babe. You know I'd never do that." His tone is soft, gentle, like honey. "I care about you. If you do this, you're only gonna hurt me. You wouldn't want that, would you?"

She nods. "Yes. I want to make you suffer like you've made me suffer all this time. I wanted you. I thought I meant something to you, but I'm just another notch on your belt."

"That's no reason to shoot me."

Oh, Jesus, Nevada. Way to go about getting shot.

"Yes it is."

The gun clicks. She's fucking serious. She's going to shoot him.

I don't think. I move out of my hiding place behind the workbench and scream at her to stop. She turns, startled, and the gun points at me as Nevada lunges. At the same time, I throw my knife. The shot fires through the air. It sounds louder than usual in this confined space, the sound ringing through the workshop and I don't realize until pain hits my arm that I've been shot.

I look up and the girl is on the floor. I managed to hit her at least, but the look on Nevada's face; it's a look of horror.

He runs toward me but it's like in slow motion. I'm on my knees.

I tell him I love him. At least, I think I do.

The last words I hear are his voice, calling my name.

Then everything goes black.

NEVADA

I stare at my woman, unable to take any of this in. She took a bullet for me. She fucking took a bullet.

"Star!" I hold her in my arms. "Baby…" Panic sets in and I can still hear that stupid bitch groaning from where Star managed to hit her in the side of the neck with the knife.

I grab my phone and hit Riot's number. "Get help," I say frantically when he answers. "Star's been shot. We're in my workshop."

"What the fuck, bro?"

"Louise. She just pulled a gun on me."

"Be there in five." He hangs up.

It doesn't take long before I hear the sirens.

I shake Star. "Baby, wake up."

For one long, painful moment I think she's gone, then she stirs. "Asher?"

I hold my hands over her shoulder to stop the bleeding. "Yeah, baby?"

"I got her good, right?"

I shake my head. I don't give a fuck if Louise is bleeding to death right now on the floor. I hope she's suffering.

"Yeah, my angel."

"It's just a scratch."

I press my lips to hers. "Don't try and talk."

"I'm not dead. Wait, I'm not dead, right?"

"No, you're not dead. Just preserve your energy."

She closes her eyes and I shake her awake again. "Gotta stay with me."

"I love you. I want your children someday."

I frown. "You do?"

"Shit. Am I hallucinating?"

"Maybe, but it's a nice vision. Little version of me runnin' around."

"You?" She coughs. "What about me?"

"Some would argue I'm prettier."

"When a man thinks he's prettier than you, you gotta put up or shut up."

I snort. "Stop makin' me laugh, this is serious."

"I'm fine, just dizzy."

"You blacked out."

"I hit my head, cheesedick."

I press my lips to her. "You can call me any names you want, told you that once before, but you're not goin' anywhere, you hear me?"

I hear the sound of straight pipes before the sirens get closer.

Ryder, Rock, Jett, Priest and Riot all come busting in, weapons drawn.

"Over here!" I yell. "She's been shot above the shoulder."

"Jesus," Riot mutters.

Rock bends down to look, tilting her body forward as he rips the back of her shirt down. "Bullet wound came through." He looks down and picks it up right near his feet. "Not a doc, but clearly it didn't hit her heart. She's still breathin'."

Jett and Priest run over toward Louise, who's still holding her neck. She managed to pull the knife out, and now she's bleeding profusely.

"Had to call it in," Riot says. "Had no choice."

I nod. "Did the right thing."

He clutches my shoulder. "It's gonna be okay. She's the strongest person I know."

Seeing my hands covered in her blood, I feel like my heart's gonna leap out of my chest. This isn't how this was supposed to go down. I was only with Louise a couple of times. It wasn't serious. She was cute and we fucked. That was it. I made no promises or asked her to be my girlfriend. She's the one who's been calling me and sending me the flowers, and watching the house. I kick myself for not having a prospect out front with Tilly being home. Cash would've okayed it.

A few minutes later, Pipes, Bronco and Harlem all run in. "Jesus fuck," Bronco says.

"She's gonna be okay," I tell them.

Star just whispers over and over, telling me she loves me. And I hope it's not the last words I ever get to hear.

This woman has changed my life in a matter of weeks. She stole my heart, gave me something to believe in and I've never felt this way about anyone.

This can't be how it ends. It can't. I won't let it.