Chapter 13

“He pulled into a shit motel a few miles up the road from where Jake lost him,” Deviant told me, pointing at his computer screen. It was frozen on a shot of Kenny in the parking lot, holding Corinne’s baby carrier.

Rage like I’d never known blew through me, and I spun around, putting my fist through the nearest wall. “Fuck!” I bellowed.

I squeezed my eyes shut for a moment, taking a deep breath, but only managing to calm down a mere fraction. When I reopened my eyes, I looked to my prez for permission.

Fox nodded. “Nobody fucks with the family of an Iron Rogue.”

I nodded my thanks, then muttered, “Let’s roll,” before stomping out of Deviant’s office at the clubhouse. Ellery was still sitting on the couch with Mav’s and Fox’s old ladies, so I hurried over and bent down to take her face between my hands.

“Got a lead, baby. Me and the boys are gonna go check it out. Don’t know how long I’ll be, so I need you to stay here, where I know you’re safe.”

Ellery’s hazel eyes filled with tears, and her lip trembled, but she nodded.

I kissed her quickly and told her, “I’ll call when I have news.” Then I rushed out to the front of the clubhouse, where several of my brothers waited, ready to back me up.

It was getting dark when we rode up to the motel, but we didn’t want the noise of our Harleys tipping Kenny off. Or anyone being able to point the cops toward a group of bikers after he disappeared. Although the chief of police was a friend, he wouldn’t break the law for us. He did bend it on occasion, though.

We parked at the grocery store next door and made our way to the front office. Some of my boys spread out to keep an eye on the room doors in case Kenny made a run for it.

Deviant walked around the side of the building, and a second later, the lights in the office went out.

“What the fuck?” someone exclaimed from inside.

Knowing the cameras were now down, I strode inside and straight up to the counter. Before the pipsqueak on the other side even realized what was happening, he had a gun pressed to his forehead.

“Kenny Harrilson. What room is he in?”

“I-uh-I don’t know,” the kid stammered. “I h-have t-to look it up in the-um-computer.”

“Unplug the camera,” I growled.

He reached over to the wall behind him and grabbed the cord hanging down from the camera mounted in the corner by the ceiling. Once he’d yanked it out of the socket, I called back to Storm—our Road Captain—who was holding the door open. “Lights.”

He shouted the same word, and a second later, the electricity came back on.

The kid blinked a few times, but then he went cross-eyed looking at the gun pressed between his eyebrows.

“Look it up,” I demanded, gesturing to the computer with the barrel of my pistol.

The computer had whirred to life, so he cautiously turned toward it and typed in a password. A program opened, and he scrolled through a database for a moment. His eyes were filled with terror when he faced me again. His voice was weak when he explained, “There’s no Kenny registered.”

An idea occurred to me, and I grunted in disgust, “Try Laura Thomas.” The sick bastard probably thought he was being clever.

“R-room-um 12.”

Storm stepped inside and slammed a fat roll of cash onto the counter. “We were never here. And if word gets out that we were, you’ll pay that back with your fingers, toes, and teeth. Is that clear?”

The kid nodded vigorously and tentatively reached out to grab the money. Once he had it in his grasp, he shoved it in his pocket and ran out the back door, shouting, “I quit!”

I rolled my eyes and followed Viper outside. We relayed the room information to the boys, then a few set up a perimeter while the rest of us quietly approached Kenny’s room.

“I don’t want to spook him with Corinne in there,” I murmured. “Who the fuck knows what he’d do if he felt threatened and was still alone with her?”

Ice stood in the shadows by the front window, looking through the crack in the curtains. Then he melted into the darkness before appearing at my side a second later. “He’s in the bathroom.”

The disgust in his voice made me cringe. My guess was Kenny was either shooting up or beating off. I really hoped it was the former since my baby girl was in the room with him. Not that I wanted her around drugs, but at least if he was high, he’d be an easier mark.

“Corinne?”

“She’s still asleep in her carrier. He set her on the table in front of the window.” He glanced back at the pane thoughtfully, then looked at me and muttered, “It’s unlocked.”

“Does it open far enough?” I asked, picking up on his plan.

He nodded and reached into his back pocket, pulling out a multi-tool, then disappeared and reappeared in his former spot.

Slowly, testing for any sound if the metal was rusted or something like that, Ice began to ease the window open. Which wasn’t easy from the outside, but he was surprisingly adept at breaking and entering for a loaded, former pro hockey player.

Kneeling in front of the door, I used a lock pick on the knob until I heard the click of the lock disengaging.

I stood back up and turned to see how far Ice had gotten. He was using his knife to slice through the screen, which made it easier for him to push the window open even more.

Viper stood behind him and suddenly put his hand on Ice’s shoulder. Then he looked at me and cocked his head toward the room.

Shit. Kenny must have come out of the bathroom.

Ice placed his hands on the windowsill and leaned forward, testing the width with his broad shoulders. Then he eased the curtain to the center, as far as he dared before giving Viper a chin lift.

Viper held up his hand, showing three fingers. He lowered one, then two, and when he tucked the third into his fist, I kicked the door in just as Ice reached through the open window and grabbed Corinne, quickly pulling her out.

“What the fuck?” Kenny shouted as his hand reached behind his back.

“Try it and the first thing I shoot will be your dick. Small target, I know, but I never miss.”

Kenny froze and contemplated his circumstances for a second before lifting his hands into the air.

Viper stalked over and yanked the gun from Kenny’s pants, then removed the clip and emptied the chamber before tossing it on the bed.

I briefly tilted my gun toward the door. “Move,” I snarled.

“Where are you taking me?” Kenny whined. He sniffed and glared at me with watery eyes.

“To our guesthouse,” I grunted as he walked past me.

The motherfucker froze and looked at me over his shoulder, his face awash with fear.

“Heard about it, huh?”

“Call the police,” he begged. “I’ll confess everything. Just turn me over—”

I laughed harshly, without any real humor. “You really think you’re gonna get off that easy? You scared the shit outta my woman and KIDNAPPED our little girl!” I was bellowing at the top of my lungs by the time I finished, and Maverick poked his head inside the room.

“Save it for the guesthouse, brother. Let’s get the fuck outta here.”

I considered putting a bullet in Kenny’s leg, just to give myself something before I exploded, but then we’d have to carry his ass to the car, and Race would complain for days if any blood got on the carpet of his trunk.

“Move it,” I growled, poking him in the spine with the barrel of my gun.

When we stepped outside, I spotted Ice off to the side, swinging Corinne’s baby carrier from side to side.

“She started to fuss but went back to sleep when I rocked her.”

I lifted my chin in thanks, because I couldn”t get any sound out of my clogged throat. Picking up the baby seat, I gazed down at my sleeping princess, and my knees nearly buckled at the rush of relief that swept through my body.

“Whiskey.” I turned at the sound of Maverick’s voice and saw him jerk his head toward a truck that was just pulling into the lot. “Let”s get you two home to your woman.”

I followed him to the vehicle, nodding at Fox who was behind the wheel. Carefully, I opened the back door and buckled my baby girl into the base he’d already installed for when Molly had their baby.

After quietly closing the door, I tossed my keys to Viper and didn’t bother to threaten him with dismemberment if he so much as scratched my hog. I didn’t care about anything but getting our daughter home to her mother.

I brushedthe tips of my fingers across Ellery’s forehead, pushing away wayward strands of hair. Damn, she was beautiful. And watching her lying on the couch with our daughter resting on her chest, both of them breathing deeply in restful sleep… righted something inside me. Leaving a feeling of love and contentment.

But it wasn’t quite enough to wipe out the rage burning in my gut. I needed to get this shit over with so I could come back to my girls with nothing but our future in my mind.

When I arrived home with Corinne, Ellery had been beside herself. She’d clutched our little girl to her and sobbed into my chest as I held them both. I hated to wake her, but I didn’t want to leave without letting her know.

“Ellery,” I whispered, running the tip of my digit along her soft cheek. “Wake up, baby.”

She stirred, and her arms tightened around Corinne for a second, before relaxing again. It would be a while before either of us was comfortable letting Corinne out of our arms.

“I need to take care of some club business. A couple of prospects will be outside keeping watch, but I want you to lock up and set the alarm after I leave.”

Ellery’s brows drew down, and worry crept into her hazel orbs.

“Nothing dangerous, baby. Just business. I’ll be back soon.”

“Okay,” she whispered.

We’d talked a lot about our life together, and she’d accepted that there were things I would have to keep from her from time to time, but only if it was club business. And though I didn’t say it out loud, shit like tonight. That darkness would never come near her.

“Love you, baby.”

“Love you, too.”

I kissed her forehead, then brushed my lips over the fuzzy little head of our daughter before standing. Ellery cradled Corinne to her chest as I helped her stand, then she walked me to the door.

“Won’t be long,” I told her again. “Lock up, baby.”

When the door was shut and I heard her set the alarm, I lifted my chin at the car across the street and received a wave in return.

As expected, one of my brothers had dropped off my bike, so I stalked to the driveway and climbed onto it. I sent a text to Mav, letting him know I was on my way, then I took off.

He was waiting outside the guesthouse when I arrived. It was a small structure built at the back of the compound, surrounded by trees so it was virtually hidden if you didn’t know the place was there.

There were several “guest rooms,” as we jokingly referred to them. A few functioned as cells, and two others were set up for interrogation. The one where Kenny waited for me was completely soundproof and easily sterilized since it was usually very messy when in use.

Mav unlocked the door and gestured for me to enter first. Then he locked it behind us and followed me to the basement.

Kenny was strung up in the center of the room, and I narrowed my eyes when I saw his split lip. No one was supposed to touch him. I scowled at Mav, and he shook his head. “Fought us getting in the trunk, his face hit the lid. Now get this shit over with so I can get home to my old lady.” He walked to a chair in the corner and plopped down on it.

There were very few rules when it came to the use of this building, but one that Fox never budged on was using it alone. Just to make sure no one did anything truly stupid or fucked up, at least two of us always had to be in the room.

I faced Kenny, and he stared at me with stark terror on his face, and his already wet pants grew darker as the smell of urine permeated the room. I grabbed a pair of gloves so I wouldn’t get my hands soiled.

“Please,” he begged. “Just turn me over to the cops.”

“Rotting in prison is too good for you,” I grunted as I strolled up to him, then I punched him in the nuts. “Death is too fucking good for you, but I’m not one to prolong torture.” My right hook smashed into his jaw. “Well, not for too long.”

Soft hands glidedaround my torso and clapped together on my chest just as I felt Ellery’s cheek resting on my back.

Her curves pressed against me, and I sighed at the warmth of her body and the heat from the water cascading down over us.

“You’re back,” she whispered.

I took her hands in mine and raised them to my lips, kissing each one before turning around and taking her into my arms. “Sorry if I woke you, baby.”

After returning from the guesthouse, I’d gone straight to the bathroom, put my clothes in the trash, and got into a steaming hot shower. I needed to wash away the filth before I climbed into bed with my woman.

“Don’t be. I’m always happy to find you naked in the shower,” she teased, rubbing herself up against me like a cat.

“Watch it, baby. Or you’re gonna end up against that wall with my cock buried inside your pussy. And I don’t have it in me to be gentle tonight.”

“Who says I want gentle?” Her gaze dropped to my chest, and she traced my tattoos for a few seconds, then she looked up at me through her lashes. “I need you to make me forget.”

An hour later, we collapsed into bed, both of us exhausted and completely satisfied. But I needed to do something before we fell asleep. I rolled over and opened my nightstand drawer, then picked up the little black velvet box I’d stashed in there.

Turning back over, I flipped the lid open and withdrew the three-carat diamond engagement ring I’d ordered for her. Then I tossed the box onto the ground and shifted onto my side to face Ellery. She mirrored my position, and her cheeks turned pink as she watched me take her hand and slide the ring onto her finger.

“Not gonna ask you to marry me because you don’t have a choice,” I said gruffly.

Ellery giggled, and my lips curved up.

“But I’ll ask if you can be ready to do it this weekend.”

She gazed at the ring for a few beats, then she shuffled over and pushed me onto my back before straddling me. “I’ll marry you whenever and wherever you want. All I need are you and Corinne.”

I curled up into a sitting position and cupped her beautiful face, memorizing every little fleck of brown and green in her hazel eyes. “I love you, Ellery. More than I ever thought possible. You and Corinne are everything to me.”

“Me too,” she whispered sweetly.

I kissed her hard, then grasped her hips and raised her up before plunging her back down onto my long, thick rod. “Now, let”s get back to working on making more little munchkins.”

The following morning, Ellery woke up and bolted for the bathroom.

I hoped this one was a boy. I needed someone to help me protect my beautiful girls.