Chapter 12
Ishould be used to the chaos that has become my life. I don’t know why leaving Ringo’s property has affected me so much. Probably because despite the constant threats and danger there, with him and his family, I felt safe.
It was the first place that felt like home, and I’m pretty sure Tahli felt the same way given how devastated she was when she was ushered into the cars that finally arrived to pick up her, Doreen, Alana and Millie late last night.
My little Chook clawed at my arms as Alana peeled her off me, trying to separate us, and the moment she was dragged free, my heart sank.
It feels like it’s happening all over again. I feel like I’ve lost something.
I know I haven’t though. I trust Ringo. I trust his decision and know he would never put them in danger.
Ringo’s big hand squeezes my thigh as he rides, the rumble of the engine rather soothing as I tighten my hold around his waist a little more.
“Nearly there, Angel.” His voice comes through the speaker at my ear as he slides his hand up and down my thigh, soothingly.
He knows I’ve been crying. It was pretty hard to hide, and not just because of the mic embedded in my helmet picking up my sniffling.
The shuddering was pretty obvious.
God, I’m going to look frightful when I pull off this helmet. Maybe I can just wear it everywhere until I stop sobbing.
The unremarkable cars that collected the people most precious to me and Ringo had followed us most of the way after leaving Ringo’s property, but when we turned off the freeway to head into Fox Pines, they kept going east.
There are so many possibilities of where they could be taken. Will they be turning off and heading north towards the high country? Perhaps they are driving towards the Gippsland Lakes, or maybe they are driving right through and heading across the border to New South Wales?
Shit. Not knowing is going to eat at me, but the deal was no one would know where they are being taken, which is why I feel sick to my stomach with worry.
Releasing my thigh, Ringo steers us off the main road and onto the gravel driveway of the new Southern Sadists Fox Pines compound.
Reluctantly, I peel my head from Ringo’s back and watch over his shoulder as we weave up the driveway, the old barn and the series of shipping containers coming into view past the tall pine trees.
As we pull into the main area, my eyes instantly dart to the light pole in the centre of the large yard, and flashes of Wendy’s face fill my mind.
The way she still glared at me with hate past the blood and swelling in her face. The way there was still fear in her eyes despite that.
You did that, Abbey. You’re a monster!
“Abbey!” Nessy calls as Ringo shuts off the engine, and I shift my gaze to the fire drums, and where Nessy is sitting on Vender’s knee, his large hand resting possessively over her thigh.
I wave to her, glad she can’t see my face hidden under the helmet, because I don’t have a smile for her or anyone right now.
I feel drained.
I’m so ready for this shit to be over, but how many times have I thought that?
How much more can I possibly handle?
You can handle as much as you need to, for your daughter.
Shit. My head’s not in a good place right now.
Ringo helps me off his bike, and when he tries to assist me with my helmet, I bat his hands away, only for him to bat at mine.
“Not happening, Angel. Let me do it.”
My shoulders drop as I sigh, and he takes that cue to help slide off the helmet, my head immediately dropping, my eyes focusing on his boots.
“Eyes up,” he demands, and I want to deny him. I want to be a brat and tell him to piss right off.
But I also don’t want to do that. He hasn’t done anything wrong. All he’s done is support me. Turned his life upside down for me. Put his family in danger for me. All because he loves me.
And I love him.
So, even as moody as I am, I give in to the part of me that wants to be ordered around. That’s used to being ordered around, and I glance up at my husband.
His eyes soften when he takes me in, his big hands coming up to engulf each side of my face, those big, calloused thumbs grazing under each eye to wipe away my tears.
“She’ll be safe. This will all be over soon.”
I nod, because I don’t think I can talk without sobbing, and he leans in, pressing a bearded kiss to my forehead.
And just like that, I sink into him once again.
He’s my place to fall. I’ll never not need him.
“Now you’re on my fucking land.” Smitty’s grating voice has me stiffening, the sound of his boots pounding across the gravel behind me stopping as he speaks again. “Tell me why the fuck you kicked us off your property.”
“It’s complicated, and something I’m not willing to discuss until I know more.” Ringo sighs, clearly not wanting to deal with his President.
Easing from Ringo’s grip, I turn to face Smitty, my eyes narrowing to slits as I lock onto someone I can take my anger out on.
“Your land?” I scoff, crossing my arms over my chest. “I thought this land belonged to the Southern Sadists, not Nate Smith.”
“Angel,” Ringo warns under his breath, but I ignore him, quirking a brow at Smitty.
“Same fucking thing,” Smitty snaps, glaring back at me, and jabbing a finger my way. “You’re getting a little too big for those size six girly shoes, Charity.”
My face falls at the name.
I should turn and slap Ringo since he was the one who started that shit. But instead, I keep my focus on the loopy leader of the club.
“They are still smaller than that head of yours,” I point out, and Smitty’s jaw clicks as he stares at me.
“Stop glaring at my wife.” Ringo’s hands come down on my shoulders, steering me away. “She has a fucking point.”
“It’s a big, but beautiful head, don’t you think?” Smitty smirks, and I roll my eyes.
“I think not.”
He scoffs as Celina sidles up to him, flashing me a smile as her hand presses to his chest with affection. “It’s a very handsome Presidential head.”
I can’t help but snort, and Smitty growls a ‘thanks’ to her, groping her arse and lifting her by her globes as she wraps her legs around him.
I don’t know what she sees in that man. He’s unpredictable. Irritating. And far too full of himself for my liking.
Then again, perhaps I’m just in too much of a pissy mood.
“Church in five!” Smitty calls before practically eating Celina’s face as he strides towards the barn, still carrying her.
“I feel ill.” I cringe, and Ringo chuckles, spinning me to face him.
“You gotta watch that sassy mouth around him, Angel. I worry one day he’s gonna lose his patience with you.”
“I can handle him,” I scoff, and his beard kicks up at the corner.
“I have no doubt, but you see the thing is, if he steps over the line, I’ll have to kill him. And that will bring us a whole heap of other issues we’re not ready for.”
“Listen to your husband.” JD laughs from behind me. “He’s sometimes right.”
Grinning, I glance over my shoulder to see JD and Jols, hand in hand like they are so often these days.
“Let’s go have some girl time.” Jols smiles, bobbing her head towards the fire and gathering Doxies. “Leave these brutes to their worshipping and shit.”
I snicker at that, taking Jols’ hand as she reaches out, but before I can get far, Ringo hooks his arms around my waist and tugs me back.
“Don’t go far,” he rasps against my lips before claiming them, and I don’t even care that there are people watching. This guy… the way he makes me feel like it’s just him and me… I’ll never get enough of it. Of him.
“Alright, you two.” JD laughs. “Cut it out before you make the guys horny.”
That pulls me up, and I break the kiss, cringing at JD. “Don’t be gross.”
“Just stating facts.” He laughs, holding his hands up in surrender, and Jols tugs me to her side.
“We all know the horny one is you, Jimmy,” Jols snickers, and his smile is from ear to ear as he grips his crotch and does a little thrust towards her.
We all laugh, and I start to relax, feeling a little lighter for the first time today.
As Jols leads me away from the guys, they make their way over to the barn, and I try not to feel Ringo’s loss too much. Because that’s weird, right? Being so clingy.
“So what happened?” Jols whispers as we walk. “Where’s Tahli?”
Frowning, I glance at Jols.
Didn’t Ringo tell them not to ask questions?
Is Jols… the traitor?
She was in the house. Sleeping just a few doors down from Tahli’s room. She could have snuck out of bed and planted that note on Tahli’s bedside table.
Shit… No… Surely not. I’m just overthinking… right?
“She’s somewhere safe,” I say quietly, and Jols frowns, her blue gaze darting to me as she stops walking.
She opens her mouth to speak, but then snaps it shut, glancing over her shoulder to where the guys just disappeared inside the barn.
I stiffen, waiting for the backlash. If she is the traitor, she’ll surely ask more questions… or maybe not. That would be too revealing, right?
Oh Jesus. I’m not good at this.
“Okay.” Jols nods, turning back to me and offering me a soft smile that doesn’t meet her eyes. “Well, welcome to no privacy. Just so you know, I’m not giving up the bungalow, so the four of us are about to become even more acquainted.”
Her smile is wide, and a laugh bubbles from me as I realise she’s right.
JD and Ringo share a bungalow. Their beds are so close to each other that I can reach out and touch the other one, so yeah, there will be absolutely zero privacy.
I’m not entirely sure how I feel about that, but I guess it is what it is at this stage. Hopefully we can find Bobbi soon and then things can go back to normal… whatever that is.
Just thinking of Bobbi brings my mood back down. I’m so scared for her. I hate that we are here, not doing anything when we should be out looking for her. But where do we look? Our best bet is waiting for Elizabeth to call Daniel.
Shit… I forgot about him.
“Where’s Daniel?” I ask as we take a seat by the fire.