Chapter Twelve
Jackson
It took another two days for Wire to finally locate my family and help me gather reinforcements. Even though Mia and Poppy were no longer near Las Vegas, the Savage Knights still sent Seeker, Knuckles, and Doc with me. We hauled ass to Oklahoma, where the Savage Raptors met up with us. Lynx was technically family since his sister was part of the Dixie Reapers. I was happy to see him, as well as Rebel and Ravager. With seven of us, I hoped we’d be able to extract Mia and Poppy without any issues.
“What intel do we have?” Lynx asked, as we gathered in the Savage Raptors clubhouse.
“Wire said it looked like Mia’s parents had taken them, but he found two other people. Anna and Lily, two barrel racers on the rodeo circuit. I shot them down and they weren’t happy about it.” I cleared my throat. “Fidelity in the rodeo is a bit rare. Guess the excitement goes to everyone’s head, and there are a ton of buckle bunnies who want a good time. Not much different than dealing with club whores, except the cowboy version. Anna and Lily were competitors, but the way they chased after the cowboys… well, you get the picture.”
Lynx nodded. “All right. Anyone else? Or is it just the two women and Mia’s parents?”
“As far as I know, that’s it. But… there’s one other person who caused a lot of trouble for us, then sort of vanished. Carter Bales. He’s a rodeo cowboy who slapped Mia around before we were married.” I bit my lip. “What I’m about to say doesn’t leave this room. Understood?”
Lynx crossed his arms. “Of course.”
The others nodded their agreement, so I told them how Mia had been dating Carter and what had happened when she told him she was pregnant. It was the first time I’d admitted Poppy wasn’t my biological child. I also told them Mia had only been seventeen at the time, which infuriated every last man standing with me.
“When we’re done, if this Carter person isn’t there or a part of this, I’m still going to find his ass and teach him a lesson,” Knuckles said. “I can’t let that shit fly. Doesn’t matter if it happened in my territory or not.”
“Where are they right now?” Seeker asked.
“As long as they haven’t moved since the last update I received from Wire, they’re at a motel outside of town. Rundown place. You know the type. Owned by people who prefer cash, and never see or hear anything.”
“Do you know the layout or which room they’re in?” Rebel asked.
“It’s the Shady Pines Motel. Room 6. Not on the highway or near it. They picked a really remote place. No idea how they even found the damn place,” I said.
“I know it,” Ravager said. His eyes darkened and his jaw tensed. Shit. Whatever happened at the place must have been bad. “Only way in is through the door. Even the window in the bathroom isn’t big enough for an adult to fit through.”
“Think we’ll have any issues with interruptions or cops being called by other people renting rooms?” Doc asked.
“No.” Knuckles cracked his neck. “Only criminal types and prostitutes stay there. You’ll find just as much blood as semen soaked into those mattresses.”
I tried not to think about my wife and kid being in such a nasty place. I’d get them back no matter the cost!
“It would be better to go before nightfall,” Ravager said. “Quieter. Most people there aren’t up and moving during daylight hours. Or rather, not as many will be.”
“So if this place is as bad as you say, then he could slaughter the kidnappers and no one would care?” Lynx asked.
Ravager shrugged. “He could probably give the guy at the desk a hundred-dollar bill and he’d handle the cleanup. So, yeah… he can do whatever the hell he wants without repercussions.”
Seeker let out a low whistle. “Damn. On the upside, that makes things easier on us.”
“So we’re going in today?” I asked. “Everyone on board with that?”
“Let’s make sure we’re properly armed, maybe get some eyes on that place just in case someone is helping them. I don’t want any surprises,” Lynx said.
Technically this was my mission since it was my family who was kidnapped, but Lynx had way more experience with this sort of thing. They all did. I was happy to let someone else lead the way. All that mattered was getting Mia and Poppy back safe and sound. Didn’t care how I did it.
“Do you have anyone we can use?” Seeker asked.
“I may.” Ravager pulled out his phone. “Never thought I’d use this number again. Shit.”
I winced, wanting to tell him to forget about it, but I couldn’t. Not when it might mean the difference in my family getting back safe and sound. Ravager walked off, speaking low enough we couldn’t hear him. I glanced at Lynx, wondering if he knew the story behind Ravager’s statement.
“How’s my sister?” Lynx asked. “She doesn’t call very often.”
I smiled. “And do you call her often?”
He shrugged. “Guess not. Still, she doing okay?”
“You know Venom adores her. Ridley is fine, and so is Dawson. Although, I think he’s about to move out. Not sure if he’s told Ridley. The club life really isn’t right for him. Unlike Foster and Owen, he doesn’t want to be a Prospect.”
“I can see that,” Lynx said. “He always seemed a little too soft. Not saying there’s anything wrong with how he is. I just know he wouldn’t last long if he was trying to patch in.”
I nodded. It was something we’d discussed before. He’d struggled to figure out his place. He had more than one secret he was keeping from Venom and Ridley. When he finally opened Pandora’s box, I hoped I was far the fuck away. No way I wanted to be around for that shit.
Ravager came back, a grim look on his face. “I got us eyes on the place. They’ll let me know how many people come and go. Let’s give it a few hours before we make a move.”
It was hard to agree since I wanted my girls back in my arms, but I understood why it was better to sit still for the moment. The minutes dragged by slowly, and I started to feel a little stir crazy. When my phone rang, I jolted. Wire.
“What’s up, Wire?” I asked as the call connected.
“Got more info for you. Remember how you had me looking for a Carter Bales?” he asked.
“Yeah. What of it? Wait. That fucker was in Vegas. Did he do something to Mia and Poppy?”
“I’m getting there. Apparently his family is rather well-off. Found information on an engagement between him and some debutante… from over two years ago. He was engaged when he was with Mia.”
“Wait, what?” I wasn’t sure how to process what he’d said.
“I don’t think he’s been lying low. I didn’t find a paper trail, but maybe I didn’t look hard enough. I think he could be behind Mia and Poppy getting kidnapped. It wouldn’t look good for him if Mia showed up with Poppy and tried to get child support or something.” I heard the keys clicking and knew Wire was still working at his computer. “I think this engagement is more than just a merging of families. Her parents have all kinds of ties that would benefit Mr. Bales’ businesses. The Bales family wouldn’t want anything to possibly throw a wrench in their plans.”
“So is Carter at fault or his family?” I asked. “And how would they even know about Mia?”
“Maybe he told them? Or he could be acting independently. I’m still not sure he has anything to do with it. I’m going through every text and call between Anna and Lily, and cross-checking any common numbers between the two.”
“Anything?” I asked.
“Yeah, I found a number that’s popped up repeatedly the last six months. Seems to be a burner. I’m not sure those girls came up with this idea on their own.”
“Is there a way to see if he’s in the area?” I asked.
“I’m not finding him. The phone he’d been using is still pinging at his last known location. That boy never stays put this long. I think he ditched it, which means I have no way of finding him unless I get lucky and spot him using cameras around the country in his usual spots.”
I swallowed hard. “Can you look at the all the footage you can access around this area? If he’s here, I want to know.”
And if that bastard was trying to take my family from me, I’d fucking kill him. I’d never felt like that was something I could do before. Then again, I hadn’t had a reason to fight so hard for anyone. For Mia and Poppy there wasn’t anything I wouldn’t do.
“It’s going to take time, Jackson. The kind you may not have. Just be cautious. If anything happens to you, your dad is going to have my ass.”
He wasn’t wrong. If things went sideways and I didn’t make it out, my dad would lose his shit. Especially since I’d told Wire to keep this from him. It wasn’t that I didn’t want him to know about Mia and Poppy… I just worried he’d be disappointed in me, and that was one thing I couldn’t handle.
Ravager’s phone rang. I couldn’t hear what was being said, but when he ended the call, he looked pissed as fuck. “We need to go. Now.”
“What’s going on?” I asked.
“More cars pulled up. A rich man and woman just strolled into the motel room, with a young man in tow. My contact said they looked like they were all related.” Ravager held my gaze. “Any ideas?”
“Yeah. I think it’s Carter Bales and his family.” Motherfucker! I had to get to Mia, and I needed to be there ten minutes ago. “I’m going. I don’t care if there’s a plan or not. I can’t sit back and do nothing.”
“We’re with you,” Ravager said.
“Let’s roll out.” Lynx headed for the door and we all followed.
* * *
My heart hammered against my ribcage, each beat echoing the urgency that consumed me. One thought pulsed through my veins: I had to rescue Mia and Poppy.
“Stay sharp,” Seeker murmured “The slightest mistake could cost us everything. And I do mean us and not just you, Jackson. All our lives are on the line.”
I nodded, the weight of my responsibility threatened to crush me, but I couldn’t afford to falter now. Mia and Poppy are counting on me.
As we watched the motel, I realized it looked like a place where hope went to die. Every last person in this place must have given up long ago. Dread coiled in my stomach, tightening with each passing second. Please let them be okay.
“Ready?” Lynx asked.
“Let’s do it,” I whispered, swallowing the fear that clawed at my throat. If things ended badly, Mia and Poppy could get hurt. Just the thought of losing them was enough to make me feel more than a little crazy. I couldn’t live without them. Wouldn’t want to even try.
We crept toward the motel, our footsteps seeming loud against the pavement, but no one paid us any attention. Knuckles and Doc took the lead, expertly avoiding any potential traps. I followed close behind, clutching my weapon, praying I wouldn’t have to use it. While I knew how to use a gun, I’d never particularly liked them.
“Jackson,” Doc whispered, his eyes scanning the perimeter. “I know you’re anxious to burst into the room and get your family back, but we need to be cautious. Wait for my signal.”
I nodded, crouching low as we moved into position. Sweat trickled down my back, but I ignored it, focusing on the task at hand. When Doc gave the signal, I lunged forward, swiftly moving across the parking lot and placing myself near the door of the motel room.
Knuckles came up beside me, patting me on the shoulder. “Let’s get inside.”
Knuckles kicked open the door and trained his gun on one of the men. Lynx entered behind him, incapacitating another. The other men filed in and left me for last. By the time I entered the room, Carter and the people I assumed to be his parents were on the floor with guns trained on them. Same for Mia’s parents. Lily and Anna stood with their hands up.
“Jackson,” Mia sobbed, relief and terror warring in her eyes. She clung to Poppy protectively, shielding her from harm.
“Stay back!” Anna snarled, trying to sound brave even though fear flickered in her gaze. “You don’t know what you’re getting into.”
“It’s over, Anna. Be glad you didn’t hurt Poppy or Mia. I’d have killed you with my bare hands if you had.”
“Save your threats,” Lily spat, her eyes narrowing. “You won’t do anything to us. You’re too weak.”
I’d never been the type to be violent with women. But this little bitch… I stomped over to her, grabbed a handful of hair and yanked her head back. “Listen up, you fucking psycho. When it comes to my wife and kid, there’s not a damn thing I wouldn’t do to keep them safe. If that means I end your miserable life, then so be it. I won’t lose any fucking sleep over it.”
Her lips parted and her eyes went wide. “What?”
“Who’s weak now?”
“Fine,” Anna sneered. “Take your precious family and leave.”
“Are you fucking stupid?” Carter demanded. “We had a deal! You have to pay back every cent my family put into this.”
“Thanks for confirming you’re a piece of shit,” I said. “I’m sorry I ever considered you a friend.”
He snarled at me. “Is that why you married my little whore? Were you acting on my behalf?”
“No. I did that because I wanted to. I love Mia and Poppy. You just used her, Carter. Did you even tell her you had a fiancée?” He glared at me. “Yeah, I know about her. What were you going to do? Kill them to hide the evidence of your infidelity?”
“No. I’m going to sell them,” he said, staring at me with pure hatred. “I could have gotten rid of the brat in her belly if you hadn’t interfered. You fucked everything up. I knew once you married her, I’d have to plan more carefully. If you’d just stayed out of it, then I could have taken care of all this so much easier.”
“No, Carter. This is your fault and yours alone,” I said.
“What about us?” Lily asked. “He tricked us into helping him, saying you’d get over Mia and give us a chance.”
“You two really are stupid,” I said. “I will never want you. Even if something happened to Mia, the two of you still wouldn’t have a chance. But just so you know, I’ll never marry anyone else ever again. Mia is my one and only.”
“Oh, Jackson,” Mia murmured.
“Why don’t you get your girls to safety?” Lynx suggested.
“But I…”
Lynx shook his head. “You may be Cowboy’s son, but this isn’t your way of doing things, Jackson. Don’t lose who you are. I have no doubt you’d do whatever you needed to in order to keep your family safe. Right now, that’s not necessary. You have us here, and we’re more than capable of taking out the trash.”
I held out my hand to Mia and she hurried over to me. I pulled her and Poppy into my arms. “You sure about this?”
“Positive. We’ll call Wire and find out the best way to handle this. He’s already done his homework on these people. Just do me one favor… take them home. And I mean your home in Alabama. Deal?”
I looked down at Mia and Poppy, knowing it was time to face my parents. “Deal. Come on, Mia. Let’s get out of here.”
She leaned into me. “Can we get a nice hotel somewhere so Poppy and I can get cleaned up? We smell and need clean clothes.”
“Yeah, darlin’. We can do that.” I looked back into the room one final time before taking my girls outside. I helped them into my truck and drove away without a moment’s hesitation.