Chapter Thirteen
Dawson
I stumbled through the smoke-filled hallway, Captain Briggs at my side and the victim cradled in my arms. The heat pressed against us like a living thing, hungry and relentless. Sweat streamed down my face beneath my helmet, and my muscles screamed with exhaustion.
“Almost there, Kane,” Captain Briggs rasped, his voice barely audible over the roar of the flames.
I nodded, tightening my grip on the unconscious woman. Her face was streaked with soot, her breathing shallow. We had to get her out now.
The exit loomed ahead, a faint rectangle of light in the hazy darkness. With a final burst of energy, we lurched forward, bursting through the doorway and into the crisp night air. I gulped it down greedily, my eyes watering as I blinked against the sudden brightness of flashing emergency lights.
Paramedics swarmed us immediately. I gently transferred the woman onto a waiting stretcher, my arms trembling with relief and fatigue. “She needs oxygen,” I croaked, watching as they fitted a mask over her face and wheeled her toward an ambulance.
Before I could catch my breath, Captain Briggs grabbed my shoulder. “You’re getting checked out too, Kane. No arguments.”
I wanted to protest, but the stern look in his eyes brooked no refusal. I let him steer me toward another paramedic, who began examining me efficiently. The adrenaline was fading now, leaving me acutely aware of every ache and pain. My ribs throbbed where I’d caught a falling beam, and my skin felt tight and hot in places where my gear hadn’t quite protected me from the flames. I wondered if it had ripped anywhere when I’d been caught under the debris.
“Looks like just bruising,” the paramedic announced after a thorough check. “You were lucky.”
Lucky. The word hit me like a punch to the gut as I looked back at the smoldering building. We’d saved one, but four others hadn’t made it out. An elderly couple on the third floor, a young mother and her toddler we hadn’t been able to reach because the fire had spread too fast. I’d been listening to the chatter from my team as they relayed information obtained from people around them. And my heart had ached when it had been determined there was no possible way to reach any of them.
Around me, my teammates wore similar expressions of grim exhaustion and barely contained grief. The fire was out now, reduced to wisps of smoke and blackened rubble. But the cost had been too high.
Captain Briggs gathered us together, his face etched with lines of sorrow and fatigue. “You all did everything you could. Remember that. We saved lives today. Now, let’s head back to the station and debrief.”
We climbed into the truck in silence, the usual post-fire banter conspicuously absent. As we pulled away from the scene, I stared out the window at the flashing lights growing smaller in the distance. Even though our job was done, the police would linger a bit longer. My heart felt heavy, and I knew the guilt would eat at me for a while, even though there’d been nothing I could do this time.
* * *
The ring of my phone jolted me from a restless sleep. I fumbled for it in the darkness. Glancing at the time, I realized I’d only been asleep about an hour.
My mom’s name flashed on my screen, and my heart raced with a sense of foreboding.
“Hey, Mom.” My voice was rough with sleep.
“Dawson…” Her voice trembled, each word laced with panic. “I’ve been trying to reach Nora. When she didn’t answer, I came over to make sure she was all right. I saw the news and thought you might be at the fire.”
“Is Nora all right?” I asked, sitting up, becoming more alert.
“When I got here, Akira was with Taylor. Honey… Nora never came home. She’s gone.”
The world tilted beneath me as the words sank in, cold dread seizing my chest. Nora. My Nora. She had to be in the hands of that manipulative, volatile bastard, Rex. I swung my legs over the side of the bed, already reaching for my pants with shaking hands.
“What happened? Where’s Taylor now?” I demanded, my voice tight with barely controlled rage and fear.
“She’s with me at the compound, but she’s inconsolable. Dawson, you have to find Nora.”
A desperate need to act filled me, to save the woman I loved from the monster who had already caused her so much pain. Even though my shift wasn’t over, the captain would have to get over it. With Nora missing, there was no fucking way I’d be able to focus on my job. I’d end up getting one of us killed.
“I’m on it. Stay with Taylor, keep her safe.” I ended the call, my mind racing as I tugged on my boots. Fear pulsed through my veins, but it was quickly overtaken by a fierce, unyielding determination.
I would find Nora. I would save her from Rex’s clutches, no matter the cost. As I grabbed my keys and headed for the door, I swore to myself that I wouldn’t rest until she was safe in my arms again. The Swift Angels would have my back, and together, we would bring Nora home. Rex had no idea the hell he had just unleashed.
Before I started the engine, I shot off quick messages to my club, as well as the captain. I knew someone would be willing to finish my shift, and if I got my ass chewed later, so be it. Nora was more important than getting written up.
* * *
I burst through the clubhouse doors, my heart pounding against my ribs as I scanned the room for my brothers. Only Jordan and Logan were present, both looking like they’d recently gotten off shift. If they’d read my message, they weren’t reacting. Then again, being calm and levelheaded was part of their jobs. Mine too, when my family wasn’t the one in trouble.
“We’ve got an emergency,” I announced. “Nora’s been taken. We need to find her, now.”
“I think everyone is on shift, or dead asleep,” Logan said. “Except maybe Ben. Today might be his day off.”
“We need to spread out, hit the streets. Check every known hangout, every back alley. Question anyone who might have seen them. We don’t stop until we find her.”
Jesus. Where the hell had she even been when he snatched her? On her way to the apartment? Her work? Hell, what if she’d gone somewhere else without telling anyone? The possibilities were endless.
A chorus of nods and determined grunts met my words as they sprang into action. I grabbed my phone, my fingers flying over the screen as I sent out another group message letting everyone know my woman was missing. Maybe this time, they’d pay the fuck attention. The more people I had searching for her the better.
I climbed onto my bike, the roar of the engine echoing the pounding of my heart. The streets blurred beneath me as I tore through the town, my eyes scanning every face, every shadow. I stopped at seedy bars and run-down apartments, flashing Nora’s picture and mentioning Rex’s name, my voice raw with desperation.
“Have you seen this girl? She’s with a guy named Rex Strayer. It’s urgent.” The words tumbled from my lips, over and over, a litany of hope and fear. Blank stares and shaking heads met my pleas, each dead end twisting the knot in my gut tighter. Although, I had to wonder if some just weren’t speaking because they wanted nothing to do with Rex.
Hours passed, the sun sinking low on the horizon, and still no sign of Nora. I gripped the handlebars of my Harley, my knuckles white. Where are you, baby? Hold on, I’m coming . The thought played on a loop in my mind, a desperate prayer to the universe.
My phone buzzed, a text from Jaxon. No luck on the east side. Heading to the industrial district now .
I swore under my breath, the weight of Nora’s absence like a physical ache in my chest. I should have asked my dad for help. Even though I wasn’t an official Dixie Reaper, Nora would be his daughter-in-law if everything went according to plan, which made her family. Even though my dad was pissed about my choice of career and club, I knew he would have helped me keep an eye on Nora and Taylor. So why hadn’t I asked? Instead, I’d been too worried about what would happen if he took matters into his own hands when it came to dealing with Rex. Now it didn’t matter.
Twenty-twenty hindsight was a bitch!
I won’t give up. I won’t stop searching until I find you, Nora .
The town sprawled out before me, a labyrinth of secrets and shadows, and somewhere within its depths, Nora waited for me. I would tear this place apart, brick by brick, until I held her in my arms again. Rex had no idea the storm that was coming for him, the fury of a man in love, a man with nothing left to lose.
No, not nothing. Nora might be gone, but Taylor wasn’t. She’d need me regardless of what happened. But I’d do everything I could to bring her mom home.
The sun had long since set, the town cloaked in darkness, when my phone buzzed again. I pulled over, my heart hammering in my chest as I saw Jaxon’s name on the screen. Got a lead. Someone spotted Rex’s car near the old Royal Apartments on River Street .
I knew the place. It had been condemned and should have been torn down long ago. Forget the threat of Rex -- that whole place could crumble at any moment. I didn’t hesitate, revving my engine and tearing off into the night. The wind whipped past me, carrying with it a whisper of hope. I’m coming, Nora. Just hold on a little longer .
As I sped through the empty streets, my mind raced with the possibilities of what I might find. Images of Nora, hurt and scared, flashed before my eyes, fueling the rage burning in my veins. Rex had no idea who he was messing with, the lengths I would go to protect the woman I loved.
I pulled up to the old apartment building, its dilapidated facade looming in the darkness. The rest of the Swift Angels were already there, or at least the ones who’d been able to get off work. I joined them, my heart pounding in my ears as we surveyed the building.
“You sure this is the place?” I asked, my voice low and tense.
Jaxon nodded, his eyes hard as steel. “Positive. My source saw Rex dragging a girl inside some time ago. It’s gotta be Nora.”
I clenched my fists, the fire in my veins burning hotter with every passing second. “Then let’s do this. For Nora.”
Jordan held up a hand, holding us back. “Um, should we tell your dad’s club? I mean, I know you introduced Nora to them. One of their daughters has been babysitting Taylor. Wouldn’t they want to know about this?”
Yeah, they would, but… “If my dad comes, or any other Reaper, we won’t be handling this the legal way. Not unless you plan on putting them behind bars. They won’t be able to hand Rex over to the authorities.”
“They’ll be out for blood,” Ben said. “Can’t say that I blame them. Right about now, if Rex were to have a tragic accident, I’d probably look the other way.”
“We can’t cross that line,” I said. “If we do it once, then…”
“It’s easier to do it over and over,” Jaxon finished.
The others nodded, their expressions grim and determined. We moved as one, silent and deadly, toward the building. I could feel the adrenaline pumping through my body, every sense heightened, every nerve on edge. Somewhere inside, Nora was waiting for me, and I would move heaven and earth to get to her.
Hold on, baby. I’m almost there . The thought pulsed through me like a heartbeat, a promise I wouldn’t break. As we approached the busted door, I took a deep breath, steeling myself for whatever lay ahead. Rex had picked the wrong man to mess with, and I was about to show him just how wrong he was.
The door creaked open, and we slipped inside. The building had torn carpets, ripped wallpaper, and most likely mold to go with the water stains. The air was ripe with the scent of decay. I scanned the darkness, my eyes straining for any sign of Nora or Rex.
Suddenly, a muffled cry pierced the silence, and my heart stopped. Nora. I motioned to the others, and we moved swiftly. As we neared the source of the sound, I caught a glimpse of movement, a figure huddled in the corner.
“Nora?” I called out, my voice hoarse with emotion.
“Dawson?” Her reply was weak, but it was all I needed. I rushed forward, my eyes locked on her trembling form. But before I could reach her, a shadow detached itself from the wall, and Rex stepped into view, a wicked grin on his face.
“Well, well, well. Look who decided to play hero,” he sneered.
I stepped forward, my fists clenched at my sides. “Let her go, Rex. This ends now.”
He laughed, a harsh, grating sound that set my teeth on edge. “You think you can take me, pretty boy? I’ll break you like a twig.”
I didn’t waste my breath on a reply. Instead, I lunged forward, my training with Tank, the ex-Sergeant-at-Arms for the Dixie Reapers, kicking in as I aimed a swift jab at his jaw. He stumbled back, surprised by the force of the blow, but quickly recovered, his own fists flying.
We traded blows, our bodies slamming into the walls and broken pieces of furniture, empty moving crates, and other trash as we fought. I could hear Nora’s sobs, hear the shouts of the Swift Angels as they watched, ready to intervene if needed. But this was my fight, my chance to prove to Nora I would always protect her.
I had no doubt Logan was already doing his best to assess her. If she needed immediate attention, he would have run to her, regardless of what else was happening. The fact they were all waiting meant not only was Nora not in imminent danger, but they’d determined Rex would remain a threat until I’d put him down or one of us put him in cuffs.
With a final, desperate surge of strength, I slammed Rex against the wall, my forearm pressed against his throat. “It’s over,” I growled, my face inches from his. “You’ll never hurt Nora again.”
His eyes widened, the fight draining out of him as he realized he was beaten. I stepped back, watching as he slumped to the floor, his head hanging in defeat. It seemed a little too easy. Warily, I eyed him, wondering if he was trying to trick me.
I turned to Nora, my heart swelling with relief as I gathered her into my arms. She clung to me, her tears soaking my shirt as I held her close. “You’re safe now, baby. I’ve got you.”
“Dawson,” she whispered, her voice trembling as she buried her face in my chest. “I was so scared. I thought… I thought he was going to…”
“Shh, it’s okay,” I murmured, stroking her hair as I held her tighter. “You’re safe now. I’m here, and I’m never letting you go.”
“I didn’t know what he wanted when he freed me. He’d had me tied to a chair and suddenly, he let me go. But the moment I left the room I’d been in, he started to chase me.” Her hands shook and I could tell it would take a while for her completely calm down. “It was like playing hide and seek, but every time he got close to me and I ran for a new hiding spot, he’d come after me. I thought I was going to die.”
I knew what the bastard had been thinking. It was a sick, twisted game he’d wanted to play. One where Nora most likely forfeited her life at the end. But until then, he’d wanted to terrify her, make her lose all hope, and possibly her sanity. Hell, the bastard may have even been hoping she’d beg him not to hurt her anymore.
Around us, the Swift Angels erupted into cheers and whoops as I heard Justin behind us reading Rex his rights, and the clink of cuffs. Even though he was most likely off duty, I knew he’d see that Rex went to jail tonight. With some luck, a judge would put him away for a long time.
I pulled back slightly, cupping Nora’s face in my hands as I gazed into her tear-filled eyes. “I love you, Nora. I love you so damn much.”
She let out a sob, her lips trembling as she nodded. “I love you too, Dawson. All I could think about was how much I wanted to see you again, to hug you and Taylor. I worried I wouldn’t be able to escape from this place, from Rex.”
I leaned in, capturing her lips in a kiss that was both tender and fierce. I poured every ounce of my love, my relief, my gratitude into that kiss, savoring the feel of her soft lips against mine.
When we finally broke apart, I rested my forehead against hers, my eyes closed as I breathed in her scent. “Let’s go home, baby. Let’s put this nightmare behind us and start our life together.”
She nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips despite the tears still glistening on her cheeks. “I’d like that. I’d like that very much. But… where’s Taylor? Is she okay?”
“She’s with my parents. I’ll let everyone know I’ve found you and you’re safe.”
Hand in hand, we walked out of the dilapidated building, the Swift Angels forming a protective circle around us. I knew there would be challenges ahead, that Rex’s arrest was only the beginning. But it was a start.
My hand tightened around hers. I’d nearly lost her before I’d made her mine in every way that counted. Never again would I let an opportunity pass me by.
I helped her onto the back of my bike, then climbed on in front of her. It wasn’t the first ride I’d hoped we’d share together, but we’d have many more. Her arms came around my waist as I started the engine, and I pulled off onto the street. My brothers were right behind us, the rumble of the bikes loud in the silent night.
As we arrived at the Swift Angels MC clubhouse, I could feel the adrenaline slowly ebbing from my body, replaced by a bone-deep exhaustion. I parked the bike and got off, helping Nora. Her legs trembled, and I wasn’t sure if it was from her ordeal or the ride.
She clung to my side, her grip tight, as if she were afraid I might disappear if she let go. Taylor, who had apparently been waiting at the clubhouse with my mom, came running toward us, her blonde curls bouncing.
“Mommy!” she cried, throwing her arms around Nora’s legs. “I was so scared!”
Nora scooped her up, hugging her close. “It’s okay, baby. Mommy’s here. Everything’s going to be all right now.”
I watched them, my heart swelling with love and protectiveness. They had been through so much, endured so much pain and fear. I wanted nothing more than to wrap them in my arms and shield them from the world.
But as I stood there, the weight of my actions began to sink in. I had gone against protocol, taken matters into my own hands. As a firefighter, I had a duty to uphold the law, to follow the rules. But when it came to Nora and Taylor, all of that had gone out the window. Well, partially. It would have been much worse if I’d gotten the Reapers involved. In the end, Rex was behind bars and not buried in a shallow grave somewhere.
It wasn’t like I’d killed the fucker, even though I’d wanted to. I’d just bent the rules a little by going after her myself and not filing a missing persons report. Of course, it hadn’t been long enough for the police to officially do anything. She likely would have been dead before they even started searching.
Mom stepped out of the clubhouse, her property cut over her shoulders. I shook my head and gave her a half-smile. “You didn’t catch on fire wearing that into a place full of law-abiding bikers?”
She rolled her eyes at me. “Son, that’s church you’re thinking of, and yeah, I’d have likely burst into flames if I dared to enter one of those. But your clubhouse is just a building. One with super easy locks to pick, I might add. Figured a bunch of cops and firemen would have something better in place.”
Of course, she’d picked it. “Right. I’ll let you tell that to Dad.”
She waved a hand. “He knows where I am. Taylor was so upset I thought it might be better to bring her here. Something told me this was the first place you’d go once you found Nora.”
I nodded and focused on my little family again. Nora and Taylor needed me now, needed my strength and support.
“Let’s get you inside,” I said softly, guiding them toward the clubhouse. “We’ll get you cleaned up, get you something to eat.”
Inside, I realized it wasn’t only my mother who’d come to the clubhouse. Darian, Isabella, Akira, and Ares were all here too. They’d brought blankets and someone had made hot coffee. Mom and Darian pulled Nora away from me, fussing over her and Taylor like mother hens. I watched, a lump forming in my throat, as they surrounded them with love and care.
I’d always been worried I’d have to choose one or the other -- Reapers or Angels. Right now, my mom was proving to me I could walk with a foot in both worlds. When it came down to it, the family I’d grown up with hadn’t hesitated to lend a hand and join the one I’d chosen. It wasn’t like I saw us interacting as clubs on a regular basis. But at least I knew we could all get along when there was a need for it, like now when Nora had gone missing.
To some, it might not be the same thing, since it was just a bunch of women. But those people had never met my mother, or Ares for that matter. The two of them together were a force to be reckoned with. They’d both go down fighting. I knew grown men would give my mom a wide berth when she was pissed. For that matter, my mom and Isabella were both with men who used to be the VP and President of the club, and Ares was the daughter of the current President. While they often did things without asking for permission first, I had no doubt the club knew exactly where they were right now. The fact no one had come to drag them away meant the Reapers were okay with them being here.
Despite the differences in us, I watched as my brothers accepted the ladies with open arms. Although, the way Logan was eying Akira made me think I needed to give him a little warning to back the hell off. That was a road he didn’t want to travel. A Swift Angel with Wraith’s daughter? Shit.
This is what it means to have people who will always have your back, no matter what .
The clubhouse buzzed with activity as my brothers rallied around Nora and Taylor, their presence a soothing balm after the harrowing events of the day. I watched as they brought out coloring books and crayons for Taylor, her eyes lighting up with delight as she settled in at one of the tables.
Mom and Darian helped treat Nora’s wounds, and Logan shot me a thumbs-up, letting me know she wouldn’t need stitches or a visit to the ER. From what I could see, she appeared to mostly be bruised. Once they were finished, she made her way over to me.
“Dawson,” Nora whispered, her hand finding mine. “Can we talk? Alone?”
I nodded, leading her to a quiet corner of the room. She looked up at me, her brown eyes brimming with unshed tears.
“I’m so sorry,” she said, her voice trembling. “I never meant for any of this to happen, to put you in danger. But it seems to be what I’m best at. Our journey started with you saving me from a fire, and now you’ve had to rescue me from my ex.”
“Hey,” I said softly, cupping her face in my hands. “You have nothing to apologize for. None of this is your fault.”
She leaned into my touch, a single tear sliding down her cheek. “But what about your job? What about the consequences? Will you get in trouble for any of this? I saw Justin hand Rex off to an officer, but there hadn’t been any lights or sirens. You didn’t handle this by the book, did you?”
I brushed the tear away with my thumb, my heart clenching at the fear in her eyes. “I’ll handle it. Whatever happens, I’ll deal with it. All that matters is keeping you and Taylor safe.”
She nodded, burying her face in my chest as I wrapped my arms around her. I held her close, breathing in the scent of her hair, the warmth of her body against mine.
I pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, my heart swelling with love for this brave, beautiful woman. We rejoined the others, and my mom slid a plate of food in front of Nora, then another in front of me. She gave my shoulder a pat before taking a seat.
“You did good,” she said. “You found a balance between both worlds.”
I nodded, hoping she was right. Only time would tell.