Chapter 16

Tav

W aking early, I decide it's better to get up rather than lie in bed thinking of everything that needs to happen over the next few days. Marx and Gus outlined the plan, and it makes me feel a little more relaxed knowing that Gus had a part in it. Not just because he's my brother, but because he's always headed up any dangerous jobs we've had to take with Tombs Security and we've never lost a man.

Wandering through the quiet clubhouse, I come to a stop in the kitchen when I see Pixie's brother leaning against the countertop, sipping from a cup.

"Hey man, trouble sleeping?" I ask, heading to the coffee machine, pouring myself a cup.

"Nah, it's my turn to check on the rescue," he answers. I'm pretty sure this one is Dom. He's slightly quieter than Vic and Chris.

"Lovely?"

He snorts before bringing his cup to his lips and taking another swig of coffee, "No the baby gator."

The shock of his words causes my mouthful of coffee to go down the wrong way, leaving me spluttering and wheezing, tears running down my face.

"For the love of fucking God and all that's holy do not let my sister find out what you've got," I manage to croak out.

"Find out what?" Chewy says from the darkness, through the dining hatch.

"Holy shit! How long have you been there?" I demand, because I need to know it was after what Dom said.

"From when you said ‘Don't let my sister find out'. Find out what?" She turns her large eyes on Dom whose gaze flits to mine.

"Oh, it's nothing. Look at the time! I gotta go somewhere," Dom says, emptying his cup into the sink and then whispering "good luck" to me before hightailing it out of here.

"Nothing," I assure Chewy. "What are you doing up this early, anyway?"

"I wanted to make sure everything is double-checked and ready. It's the first time the MC has been split, so I want to make sure all our people are safe," her disembodied voice says until she walks through the door to the kitchen.

She pulls a bottle of water out of the fridge, takes off the lid and guzzles the water down, like a thirsty toddler. She's always drunk water like this. I try to fight a smile as I take another sip of the coffee that will hopefully calm my nerves and wake me up.

"Are you worried, little sis?" I ask, watching her a moment longer.

She frowns at me, then rolls her eyes like I asked the dumbest question in the world. "Of course not. I trust everyone here. What I don't trust are all the other factors. Hammer will always be an unknown. He's nuts. We also don't know what type of relationship he has with Royal or the cartel."

That's a good point.

"True. But I trust the intel, and I know you and Wire wouldn't send us in to an ambush,"

"Damn straight," she says, taking another long drink, then slamming her bottle on the counter with a long "ahhhhh". "I'm going now. I'll talk to you before you ride out." With that she leaves the room, in the abrupt way she does everything, and I try not to chuckle at her.

I finish up my coffee and think about making myself breakfast, but before I can fully open the fridge door to see what's in there Mama Debs slams it shut and tells me to get out of her kitchen.

"Good morning to you too, Mama Debs," I drop a kiss to her cheek and chuckle when she mumbles about people messing up her kitchen.

"You go get your family up, and I'll make breakfast."

"Yes, Mama," I draw it out like I used to do to my own mom, and then have to dodge the twisted up dish towel she flicks my ass with.

Laughing, I make my way down the hall. Stopping to peek into my room, I notice Pixie is already up, so I head down to the kids' rooms, surprised to find all four Landry kids in the same room, the two big kids in camp beds next to their siblings.

My Ol Lady is sitting on the floor between the two twin beds. The Littles are both lying on their sides, looking at their mom, the big kids sitting up in their beds so they can see her too. She's mesmerizing, softly speaking to them, rubbing their foreheads, leaning to kiss Elio on his perfectly coiffed hair. I don't know how she senses me in the doorway, but she does. Her soft eyes meet mine and she grins, warming me from the inside out.

"Are you going to join your family or are you going to stand there watching like a creep?"

I lean on the door jamb, crossing my arms over my chest.

"Family, huh? I vaguely remember someone telling my grandfather that we were just friends."

She rolls her eyes at me while Niko snorts, "Yeah, we all knew that wasn't going to last long," He says, grinning at me.

It's amazing how far this kid has come. He was a surly little shit. But drop him in the middle of the clubhouse surrounded by men willing to keep his mom safe and he's a different kid. An actual kid, not someone constantly worried about the safety of his family.

I walk into the room, and Pixie shuffles forward, inviting me to sit at her back like we did the other night when we read "And Tango makes Three." Settling in I wrap my arms around her as she tells the kids what the plan is for the next two days.

"You're all going to stay with Mama Debs and some of the brothers. Wire, Remy, Chewy and Rhodie will all be here with you. So will Gus, Ana, Pops, Jules, Nat, Judge, Jovie's grandpa Flack and Aunt Lovely. They'll all keep you safe."

"So will me and Sage. Pops got us hunting bows so we will be armed and ready," Niko says seriously. He catches my gaze and I give him a nod. He gives me a little smile back. He's almost 18, a man. If he wants to protect his family and the clubhouse, I'm not going to stand in his way.

Pixie sighs a long, tortured sigh. "I knew Mama Debs was dangerous." I chuckle at her words because she's not wrong. She's as much of a menace as the rest of the Ol Ladies. I'm just glad that we've been too busy for my woman to be drawn into girls' night. I shudder, Pixie twisting her head to look at me in confusion.

"Nothing babe, just thinking,"

She holds my gaze a moment before turning back to the kids.

"OK lazybones, let's get you all up and fed. The earlier we leave, the quicker we can get back to you all."

Blanche

I double check that I have everything in my bag. The case I normally carry when I stake out the Keep is staying here because Tav, my perfect, wonderful man, has gifted me with a case full of all the top of the line toys he uses. Gone are my older model night vision goggles, replaced with these sleek numbers that are now perched on my head like a headband.

"Look at you looking all sexy and dangerous," Tav smirks, holding my head in his big hands, moving me to where he can place a kiss on my head without the goggles getting in the way.

"Thanks, a hot man gave me these," I grin up at him. I know I should worry about what's going to happen, but somehow having Tav with me makes me feel ten feet tall and unstoppable. I never knew that having someone at my back while I do this was going to feel so good.

"You almost packed up there? The others want to get on the road soon."

"Yup. This needs to go in the car and I'm set." I close up my goodies and set the large case on the floor.

To stop any suspicion from the local PD, namely Officer Martin, we decided the best way for us to travel was to have me and Tav in my mom car, my brothers driving their vehicle, and the MC brothers on their bikes. They were going to leave two at a time, in different directions. Apparently, no one in the town will notice them given that they often ride together to work. The brothers will all meet up outside of town limits to ride as one, and those in vehicles will bring up the rear.

While we're gone, the others will put their plan into action. I'm still not sure what that all entails, but whatever it is, it'll get Officer Martin out of our hair. Marx has already lodged a complaint with the Rose Grove PD and gave Sergeant Davies the evidence that he was involved in some particularly sketchy stuff. Marx got word earlier this morning that he's been stood down pending investigation. Chewy says this is going to play straight into their hands. I'm hoping it does because Tav, Gus and Jules are all a little concerned that the torture and murder ban has her acting out of sorts. I don't know what she's normally like, but listening to Tav I'm guessing she isn't usually into crafting and planning baby showers.

Marx's whistle pierces the air, and Tav and I make our way into the common room where everyone has assembled.

"Fox and Nitro have left already. Judge and Tank, you're next." Both men nod, grab their things, and head out.

Marx then turns to my brothers but before he can continue with his orders Vic speaks up.

"Chris is going to stay here with Lovely and Bee. It's not that we don't trust your men, but she's scared, running from the only place she's ever known, and a new mom. She needs support from her family,"

Marx nods, "Good. I was concerned that she wouldn't be ready to be here without her family. Having your brother here will make her feel secure and she can get to know the women."

Vic gives him a chin up and gives Chris a hug, before hugging Lovely. Then Dom does the same. Knowing how Dom feels about what my father has created, I think I might have competition for getting rid of the council members. They both grab their bags and head out to their vehicle.

"Tav and Blanche, you are bringing up the rear. Blanche, you're positive that Royal is at the Keep?"

Nodding I check my phone, "Yup. My contact inside said he's been having emergency meetings in the Keep. Mercy is not going to live for much longer, which means Royal's making his move to take over. He'll be there, so will the rest of them."

"Any eyes on Hammer?"

"Yup, he left the Keep for two hours yesterday, then returned. Hasn't left since."

"We need you to bring him back unscathed for Chewy's plan to work," Rhodie says.

Marx runs his hand down his beard. "Savage and Dex, I know Hammer was the reason you wanted to ride out. You happy to bring him in for Chewy to take care of?" Both men nod and then grin. I've never seen Chewy in action, but I've heard the stories.

"OK. All the players are in position. Let's roll out," Marx walks out, Rider following behind.

I hug Cove, whispering I love her before giving her a kiss and then doing the same with Elio.

Sage wraps her thin arms around me, squeezing me tight. "Be safe, Mom."

"I love you, Sagey," I kiss her on her forehead and then move to wrap my eldest in my arms.

"I love you Mom. Go get rid of the Devil and burn that place to the ground," I pull back from my son, so thankful that Royal never got to him. I make a note to contact my lawyer when all this dies down. Niko might well be my eldest, the child I grew in my body, but all four of them are my babies and they will be seen as such in the eyes of the law. I give them all one more hug each and blow kisses while Tav shakes hands and pounds on his brothers' backs, Gus lingering for a little longer. He hugs Ana and then waves at Chewy when she waves back at him.

"Where's Pops?" he asks, those thick black brows pinched.

"He's looking for a hooker," Chewy answers, a dozen heads all whipping toward her. "Trust me, it's all for a good cause."

My gaze flits to Debs who has a small smile on her face as if her boyfriend looking for a hooker is completely normal behavior. Tav stands staring at his sister for a moment before shrugging his shoulders.

"Right then," He goes up to the kids and hugs each of them. Cove, Elio, Sage and then man hugs Niko. "You relax and be kids. I'll take care of your mom," he tells them before taking my hand and leading me out the door, turning to wave once more.

Tav and I settle into the seats of my mom SUV. The booster seats have been removed and in their place are cases of surveillance equipment and weapons. I giggle at the sight, Tav turning to see what tickles me and when he sees what I'm seeing he rewards me with a beautiful grin. We watch Marx and Rider roll out while we sit in the idling car.

"Ready Pixie?"

"Ready."