Chapter 7 Rachel
Ifelt anxious as soon as Crypt walked away with Grim. It was silly since most of the men knew who I was since I was a girl, but I hadn’t been around them in years.
“Rachel?”
I tore my gaze away from the room Crypt had entered with Grim, focusing on the big mountain of a man in front of me. “Hi, Mammoth.”
The VP of the club gestured to one of the tables. “I’m sure you’ve been through a lot. Why don’t you take a seat, and we’ll get things sorted?”
Exhaustion threatened to buckle my knees as I rubbed my eyes, so I sat across from Mammoth. He pulled out a chair and flipped so the back rested against the table’s surface. His thick, meaty arms leaned on the edge.
“How long has it been since you slept?”
“I don’t know,” I admitted truthfully. In the weeks since my daughter’s abduction, I had spent nearly every minute trying to find her, only to end up with a ransom note long after she disappeared.
He nodded. “I wouldn’t be resting either if it were my babies.”
Did he have kids? “You’re a dad now?”
“Yeah. Two boys. Jakey is eight, but my little guy is only a year old.”
Wow. I didn’t think Mammoth would ever settle down. Not because he was the type of guy to sleep around, but because he was picky and seemed to enjoy his independence.
“That’s wonderful.”
“Most of us have kids,” Mammoth continued. “The Crossroads has changed since you were little. Less chaos and parties, more family-friendly.”
“I see what you’re doing.”
He wanted to convince me that the biker lifestyle wasn’t as dangerous or deadly as I believed. Mammoth knew my mom. He’d been around when everything fell apart. I was sure that it wasn’t easy for Hannibal, but he didn’t fight hard enough to keep me around or be a part of my life.
“I’m not telling you only for Hannibal. We’ve built something permanent here.
A way of life that protects our loved ones and enables us to live life on our terms. But the part that really matters is the loyalty, friendship, and protection we provide.
This is a safe place for you, Rachel. You and little Rylee are welcome. You’re family, too.”
I blinked back the onset of sudden tears, a little choked up by his words. He described a perfect world for Rylee and me. A place we’d be welcome and sheltered from the type of men who preyed on children and the innocent. “Thanks, Mammoth.”
“You need rest, Rachel. You’re barely coherent.”
“I know.”
“I’m betting you haven’t eaten either.”
I shrugged. “None of those things matter when my little girl needs me.”
“That’s admirable, but it’s also foolish. You can’t do shit for her without rest, food, and water.”
I already knew that.
“I’m going to set you up in a room and get something prepared for you. Got any cravings?”
No. I honestly didn’t care. It really didn’t feel important until I had Rylee in my arms. “No.”
“Preferences?”
I shook my head. My brain was just too tired. Too foggy to think over details like that.
“Let me show you to your room.”
I wanted to argue that I should stay right here until Hannibal returned with my daughter, but he didn’t give me a chance.
“Come on.” Mammoth led me from the bar down a hall and then up a flight of stairs.
He stopped outside a bedroom and pulled out a key, unlocking the door before swinging it wide.
“Nobody is gonna bother you. I’ll bring up a tray and leave it on the table inside the door.
I’m the only one who has a key other than Hannibal. ”
“Thanks.” I yawned as I walked inside and collapsed on the bed. “Will you wake me up if you hear anything?”
“Of course.”
“And let Crypt in. He swore to Hannibal that he wouldn’t leave my side.”
“No problem.” Mammoth paused to scratch his beard. “You and Crypt. That a thing?”
“Not sure yet, but it might be.”
“The Crossroads is about to get a lot more interesting.”
With my dad around? I was sure that was true.
I fell asleep the instant my head rested on the pillow. It was dark in the room when I felt someone shaking my shoulder.
“Hey, beautiful, your dad is on his way. Should be here soon.”
Crypt flicked a switch, and light from a nearby lamp clicked on. It wasn’t super bright, but I blinked anyway, rubbing the sleep from my eyes before I sat up.
“How far away are they?”
“Don’t know, but I figured we should get you up and downstairs to greet Rylee.” He moved out of the way as I swung my legs over the side, smoothing the shirt I wore.
I was sure I looked as rough as I felt, but I didn’t care about my appearance or what people might think. I just needed my daughter to know she was okay. Whatever happened afterward, I’d deal with it.
As I stood, I wobbled a bit, unsteady. “I don’t think I slept long.”
“You didn’t. Just a few hours, but hopefully it’s enough for now.” Crypt led me to a try that rested on a little table. “Mammoth brought up some ham and cheese sandwiches, fresh fruit, and trail mix. There’s apple juice, water, or tea. You want to grab anything?”
I was about to say no when my stomach growled. “Sandwich and juice.”
“Smart choice.” Crypt picked up the paper plate and handed me one of the sandwiches before twisting the cap off my juice. “You can eat while we walk downstairs.”
I accepted the sandwich and took a bite, chewing before sipping the juice. Suddenly ravenous, I ate faster than I intended and finished off the juice as we reached the bar. It was still crowded.
Mammoth stood by the bar. “He’s almost here.”
I couldn’t wait inside the bar. Rylee needed to see me first as soon as she arrived. Not strangers she had never met.
Less than five minutes later, I heard the rumble of a motorcycle and rushed outside. I didn’t have to look over my shoulder to see that Crypt was right behind me.
A soft cry fell from my lips when I saw Hannibal approach the gate and then ride through, rushing toward him. Rylee was riding in front of him, clutching her grandpa as her big brown eyes searched the buildings.
When my daughter saw me, she began to bawl.
I moved so fast I wasn’t sure how I reached her, tugging Rylee into my arms as she wrapped herself around me, crying into my neck as I held her. “I’ve got you, sweetie. I’m here. I love you!”
I just kept repeating the words, rubbing her back in soothing circles.
She blubbered my name, and I rocked her as I stood, holding her as she released all the fear, anxiety, and worry she must have felt.
I couldn’t imagine what she went through, and there was a part of me that craved vengeance in the darkest way.
I needed blood spilled and the men who took her to die horrible, agonizing deaths.
I had to know they would pay for taking Rylee from me.
“It’s dealt with,” Hannibal assured me.
My gaze found his and the clenching of his jaw. Watching Rylee fall apart must have been as devastating for him as it was for me. “What do you mean?”
“It’s done. They’re gone.”
Gone? I blinked in confusion and then realized what he meant. The men who took her would never be able to hurt her again because they were dead. I didn’t condone violence all the time, but on rare occasions, it was the only way to get justice.
“Good,” I replied. “Thank you, Dad.”
His shoulders lost a tiny bit of tension. “Let’s get you both inside.”
I felt a hand on my back and looked up to see the concerned look on Crypt’s face. “You okay?”
“I hope we will be. With time.”
“Back to the room? You could use some privacy.”
“Yes, please, Crypt.”
Hannibal followed us inside The Crossroads and back to the room I had taken a nap in, pausing in the doorway as I sat on the edge of the bed.
Rylee must have been exhausted. She was already asleep, breathing deeply as I continued to hold her.
“They didn’t touch her,” Hannibal informed me.
God, that was my biggest fear. “How do you know?”
“I just do,” he growled. “Trust me. She’s traumatized, but we don’t have that worry to add to the list.”
Relieved, I moved to the side of the bed and managed to lie back, still cradling my daughter against my chest. She held on so tightly to my clothes, even in sleep, that I knew we would have a long road of recovery ahead of us.
It broke my heart, and tears slipped from my eyes, dripping down my cheeks as I smoothed her hair and whispered that I loved her.
“Is there anything I can get for you?” Hannibal asked, taking a chair and pushing it toward the door. He sat in it, watching like he might try to shoot anyone coming through the door.
“Not yet. That might change once she’s rested.”
“Anything you need, let me know.”
“I will, Dad.”
Hannibal glanced at Crypt. “Why are you here?”
Crypt didn’t seem ruffled by the question. “Offering my support in any way that Rachel or Rylee needs.”
Hannibal didn’t seem to like that response, but he didn’t argue. At least, not yet. I had a feeling that might change once Rylee was up and things calmed a little. My father kept giving Crypt looks like he was sending an unspoken demand: Get lost.
To say he was being overprotective was an understatement.
“He’s here because I want him to be,” I whispered, keeping my voice low for Rylee. “So that’s the end of it for now.”
“For now,” Hannibal agreed.
“You brought her home. I won’t forget that.”
“Brought in your suitcase and bags,” Crypt informed me. He gestured to the dresser across from the bed. “Let me know if you want anything we bought.”
“You took her shopping.” Hannibal sounded surprised.
“Yeah. Couldn’t have them come here and stay without what they needed.”
Hannibal grunted a response.
“He’s been good to me,” I assured my dad. “So stop being grumpy.”
His frown remained.
I knew his reaction came from a place of concern. That was the reason I let it go, focusing on Rylee as she whimpered. “I’ve got you, Ry-Ry. Mommy is here.”
Crypt covered us with a blanket as my eyes began to flutter.
“Thanks.”
“Rest. We’re both here for you.” Crypt kissed my forehead. “No one will disturb either of you.”
“Crypt will stand guard on the other side of this door to be sure no one knocks,” Hannibal added.
I almost sighed, but Crypt brushed the hair back from my face. “It’s a good idea.”
“Okay.”
“You need me, just tell Hannibal to open the door.”
“I can do that.” When I heard my dad grumble under his breath, I almost smiled.
“Get some rest, Brown Eyes.”
“Crypt?”
“Yeah?”
“Why were you at the rodeo?”
“Two reasons. One, because my dad rode with the club, and I wanted to meet the men he called his brothers. Two, I had to find you.”
I almost forgot Grim announced that Crypt was Lockjaw’s son. “I’m glad you’re here.”
“Babe, I’m sticking around because this club is going to be home, but I plan to make you part of it.”
I didn’t know what to say to that. Not yet.
“We can talk about it later. Rest, beautiful.”
I shut my eyes, held onto Rylee, and finally let the tension I had been holding since she was taken ease from my body.