Midnight (The Devil’s House MC: West Virginia #8)

Chapter Twenty-Five

“YES,” HOPE SAID, scrambling off the bed. “And you’re Hadleigh?”

“The one and only,” I replied, scanning the dismal room. “Who is that woman, and what does she want with us?”

“I don’t know her name, but from the rough handling and the awful things she’s said to me, I think she’s a former mistress of Samuel’s.”

I took a closer look at Hope when she mentioned rough handling and gasped. Bruises mottled her arms, and a fresh handprint stood out on her face. “Are you okay?” My voice trembled. Whoever that woman was, she had been far more abusive to Hope than to me.

“I think so. She only hit me once, muttering about how her partner would kill her if I was hurt.” Hope’s hand instinctively covered her stomach, and I suspected she was in the same situation as me and I had to know.

“Are you pregnant?”

“Yes,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “And I’m terrified of what’s going to happen.”

“I’m pregnant too,” I admitted softly, the reason for Samuel’s plan falling into place. He was going to be a father, and I knew he loved Hope.

Her face crumpled, and her eyes locked onto mine. “Is Samuel the father? He promised me...”

“No, Hope,” I said firmly. “Samuel and I were never involved. I’m in love with someone else.” Relief washed over her features, and I pressed on, “How long have you been here?”

“Since this morning,” she replied, sinking back onto the bed. “Samuel must be going crazy trying to find me. I was right behind him, and then everything happened so quickly...”

I sat beside her, squeezing her hand. “He’s tearing the city apart, you can count on that. I just hope Kaven is okay. She hit him so hard over the head... the way he crumpled... it was awful.”

“Kaven is your boyfriend?”

“Yes, and I’m worried sick about him. That woman is insane,” I said, my eyes darting to the door. “We need to get out of here.”

“Good luck,” she said. “I’ve searched the room from top to bottom. The only way out is through that window, and it’s a death trap.”

I hurried to the window, peering down. Long boards with spikes lined the ground below. “It’s suicide,” I muttered, my heart pounding. “We need another way.”

The room fell silent as the lock clicked and the door creaked open. The woman stormed in, gun in hand, and pointed it at Hope. “Come on, my partner is here for you. You’re lucky he wants you, or I’d relish making you pay for taking Samuel,” she hissed, her eyes wild with fury.

Hope’s eyes widened, and she hesitated. “Who is your partner?” she asked, her voice trembling.

“You’ll find out,” the woman snapped, waving the gun impatiently. “Now move! I want you out of my sight before I put you down like you deserve.”

Hope cast a final, desperate glance at me before stepping forward. The door slammed shut and locked behind her. I was left in the stifling silence, more confused and terrified than ever. Why had I been taken? Who was this woman’s partner? And why separate Hope from me?

This woman clearly wanted Samuel back and was willing to eliminate anyone in her way. But I couldn’t afford to let despair take hold. I had to find a way out and get back to Kaven.

“CALM THE HELL down,” Jonesy grumbled, running his fingers over the gash on my head. The sting of antiseptic made me wince. “This cut needs cleaning, and you have a concussion.”

“There’s no time for this shit,” I growled, trying to stand, but Fenix pushed me back down with a firm hand.

“You got time,” he said, his voice steady. “They’re still tracing that jeep.”

“Did you call Bo?” I asked, feeling a fresh wave of pain as Jonesy dabbed at the wound.

“Yeah, him and Cam are heading to the cabin to search the area and bring your bike down the mountain,” Fenix replied.

“Church!” Player’s voice boomed from across the room. “Now.”

“Keep me posted,” Fenix said, heading for the door. “I’m going home so Mama doesn’t get worried and start asking questions. This would upset her and that’s the last thing we want, and Ry is also tracking the Jeep using our resources. We’re ready to tear up the highway and have your back.” His voice carried a promise of retribution.

Jonesy and I headed down the hallway, my pulse pounding in my ears. Patch and the others were already seated around the table, their faces grim. I grabbed a chair, forcing myself to focus through the haze of pain. “What’d you find out?”

“What I found out is this is a hell of a lot more complicated than we thought,” Patch said, his gaze hard.

“Why?” I asked, my stomach knotting.

“Hadleigh wasn’t the only one taken today,” Patch said, glancing around the room. “Hope, Samuel’s woman, is also missing. He’s losing his shit, and it turns out she’s pregnant, too.”

“Again, why?” I pushed, feeling a cold sweat break out on my forehead.

“Still don’t know, but it isn’t about the reward. This is something else entirely,” Patch said, drumming his fingers on the table. The tension in the room was palpable. “We’re lucky your brother saw that jeep because it’s the only lead we have. Samuel is chomping at the bit to find it and the path it took.”

“I can’t just sit here and wait,” I snapped, the frustration boiling over.

“You won’t have to,” Patch said. “We’re moving out and heading toward Philadelphia to meet Samuel and his men. Whoever took Hadleigh isn’t local and will move her to where Hope is. I only need eight men on this because Samuel has an army ready to go. Scotch and Kickstand will relay any information while we’re on the move.” Patch’s gaze locked onto mine. “Hadleigh’s grandfather will be informed she was spotted. You can’t say anything about her being here. Keep your wits about you, got it?”

“Yeah, I got it,” I said, already standing. The thought of Haddie not having to hide anymore fueled my determination. We would find her, and I wouldn’t come back without her.

“You ain’t riding anywhere,” Player snapped, stepping in front of me. “Adam will drive you in the van. You have a concussion, and there’s no way you’re riding a motorcycle.”

“I don’t give a fuck as long as we get moving!” I shouted, my voice vibrating off the walls. Patch just shook his head, giving me a pass given the situation with a mumbled, “Watch it, boy.”

“Another thing, we are riding no colors, I don’t want this club attached to anything. With Amato and his men around, we need to remember the play of just being boot lackeys for Samuel,” Patch added, and then signaled we could leave.

I hurried back to my room, shoving what I needed into my backpack before rushing outside. The roar of engines filled the air as the guys prepped their bikes. I jumped into the van, my heart racing. “Let’s hit the road,” I snapped at Adam, eager to get moving.