Chapter 17 #2
“Okay, that’s all good. Let’s clean up the blood and go from there, but I don’t think you have a concussion. I’ve had enough to recognize the signs. If you start to feel worse, though, or if something genuinely feels off, tell me.”
“Okay.” I agree quietly, needing him to hurry this along so I can look for Star.
He helps me up and takes my hand, leading me into the kitchen. He nudges me into one of the chairs before grabbing a bowl and filling it with water, along with a clean dish towel from the drawer. He places the bowl and towel on the table and spins the chair in front of him so he can straddle it.
“Tell me again what happened,” he says softly while he dips the towel in the water before bringing it up to my face and starts wiping the blood away. I repeat what I said before, this time adding the part about the first time I woke up and asked him to stay with me.
“You’re sure you checked on her and she was in her bed?”
“I wouldn’t lie to you, angel, and sure as shit not about something like that.”
“I know, I’m sorry. I’m just scared out of my fucking mind. She’s just a little girl, Ambros, that’s what I want to say. But the thing is, I know what can happen to little girls. I know.” I hit my chest to emphasize my words.
“Shh…” He tugs me forward and wraps his arms around me as I fight back tears. Crying won’t help anyone right now.
I pull back, and we sit in silence as Ambros finishes cleaning me up. Once he’s done, I hop off the chair and head to the door, slipping on the pair of sneakers from the shoe rack.
“Maybe you should wait here, Citi. What if she wanders back and gets scared she can’t find you?” Havoc asks gently from behind me.
I whirl around and shove my finger in his face.
“Do not try to manipulate me when it comes to my daughter. Every time I come to the MC, I’m in a world where anything that makes me uncomfortable or raises questions is club business.
And that’s just the way it goes. Well, in here, Star is my business.
Respect that or fuck off because the second you get in my way or try to stop me from getting to her, I’ll kill you myself.
” My chest is heaving, and everyone left behind freezes at my roared statement.
I just effectively threatened their president, and even I know that’s some kind of punishable offense. Now ask me if I care.
“That was not what I was doing,” he replies, his voice tight.
“Yeah, it was. I get you—you’re just trying to help. But this isn’t it.”
He steps toward me, but then Ambros is there, putting himself between us.
“Back off, Havoc. This isn’t the time or place.”
“Well, fuck me. Last time I checked, I was still the president. Or did I get replaced and nobody tell me?”
“You wanna be a dick? Be a dick out there. But go now, because I don’t have time to listen to it.”
“I’m trying to stop you from making it worse. You have no idea what could happen—”
I step up beside Ambros, my teeth bared at Havoc.
“I’ve been beaten, broken, and bruised for most of my life, left in puddles of my own piss and shit.
I’ve been imprisoned, forced to endure half a dozen pregnancies in a body that was ill-equipped to handle them, only to watch all but one of those babies get slaughtered. ”
I step closer, anger and grief pouring off me in a wave, threatening to drown us all.
“I have bled from every hole in my body, dug graves with my bare hands, prayed for death every night, and grieved every morning that the sun rose and I woke along with it. Do not tell me, I have no idea what could happen. You are the one who doesn’t know. None of you do.”
Havoc launches himself at me. Before Ambros can tear me away, Havoc has me wrapped in his arms, his lips next to my ear as he murmurs to me, his words laced with regret. “I’m sorry. I’m so fucking sorry.”
I hold myself stiff, not because I don’t forgive him, but because if I break now, I’ll never piece myself back together.
He sets me down, and I quickly find myself pressed against Ambros, his front to my back, his arm wrapped around my chest. The side he has chosen is obvious.
It would melt my heart if it didn’t break it at the same time.
I can see in Havoc’s eyes that this will change things.
The brothers are supposed to put their president first, and this action shows him exactly where Ambros’s loyalty lies.
Somehow, Havoc must guess my thoughts because he shakes his head at me. “It’s how it’s supposed to be. You think, given the option, I wouldn’t want my men to save my woman over me? I just wasn’t sure how deep this ran, or if, I’ll be honest, you have enough to tie you together beyond grief.”
“I really don’t think you’re in a position to judge the origins of our relationship, pres.” Ambros grits out. “I never had to kidnap my woman to make her want to spend time with me.”
Havoc snarls, but before he replies, the door opens behind me.
I whirl around and rush to Con when he steps through. “You find her?”
“Not yet, but we won’t stop looking until we do, yeah? I just came back for the keys to the club truck. Figured it would be easier to take that in case I do find her.”
I look back at Havoc, who frowns at Con. “Don’t look at me, I don’t have them. I came on my bike.”
Con’s eyes go to Ambros. “I’m on my bike too. Ask Kruger.”
Con shakes his head. “What are you talking about? It was here when we pulled up. Did you use it on your date last night?”
“No, we rode back on the bike,” I answer before I swallow, instinct kicking in.
I shove past Con and run to the truck, ignoring my name being called.
I hear boots running after me, hot on my heels, but I reach the truck faster.
I slam myself against it, not bothering to slow my pace at all in case someone tries to stop me.
And there she is, curled up in the back seat, her unicorn tucked under her arm, her damp hair plastered to her head.
“She’s here, she’s here!” I shriek, yanking on the truck doors, but it’s locked.
As the news reaches the others, they each try to open the various doors, but it’s a no-go. I start banging on the glass and calling Star’s name to wake her up. After a few minutes, it becomes glaringly apparent that something’s wrong.
I turn to Ambros with my heart in my eyes. “Ambros?”
“I know, baby, I’m gonna get her out. Stand back for me, okay?”
I move back, and startle when Con steps up beside me and takes one of my hands in his. “Hold on a second, mama. They’ll get her out.”
Ambros moves to the front passenger window and pulls out his keys.
I frown, confused, sure he said he didn’t have keys for the truck.
But then I see that’s not what he’s going for.
He punches something against the corner of the glass that resembles a flashlight, and hits the base. In moments, the glass shatters.
He reaches inside, flips the lock, and yanks the door open before climbing in and reaching for my girl. He lifts her with ease, tugging her into his arms before he sweeps her hair from her face and presses his fingers to her pulse.
I yank my hand, trying to pull free from Con, but he tightens his hold, pulling me close when I fight to get free.
“Goddamn it, Con, let me go.”
“Two more minutes, Citi. Just let him check her over.”
“Pulse is strong, but she’s out cold,” he says.
My legs buckle, but Con catches me, swinging me up into his arms as Ambros climbs out of the truck with Star.
Havoc reaches for her, but Ambros pulls her in tight, cradling her to his chest as he hurries inside with her.
Con speeds after him. I hold on as he follows him to the living room, where Con places me on the sofa and Ambros lowers Star into my arms.
“She’s okay, baby,” Ambros tells me softly as I press my lips to her damp forehead and sob. “Can you get some water for me, yeah?” Ambros murmurs to Con.
“Got it.”
Ambros crouches in front of us and slides his hand up and down my back.
“We’ve got her now, angel. She’s gonna be okay.”
I lift my head to look at him. “Then why won’t she wake up?”
“I think I know the answer to that,” Havoc states as he walks in with a face like thunder, a rag in his hand. “She was drugged.”