Chapter Eighteen.
Amy
The reporter looked almost gleeful as she reported the death of another survivor. I scowled at the bitch. This wasn’t fantasy; it was one more family devastated by loss. In disgust, I switched the TV off and checked on Arabella, who was sleeping in her bassinet next to the bed.
Renovations were starting on the house, although Vortex had asked Apache to include a huge playroom for the kids and add two further bedrooms. Apache had somehow managed to rush the plans through, and now it was full steam ahead.
But even though it had been nearly four weeks since the accident, things weren’t settled.
The Feds still had no damn idea who their suspect was.
As far as they were concerned, he was a fucking ghost. They didn’t know why he’d bombed the airship, although they’d figured out how he’d smuggled the bombs on board.
The JTTF remained on site but with a far smaller team.
God knows why; there wasn’t much left to investigate in Merritt.
Recovery had been completed, and the field was empty.
The bodies had been identified, and funerals were happening. Media interest had faded unless something happened like today. The world moved on. People didn’t stare at me as frequently, although the town was jammed packed.
After President Winslow’s damning statement on the former president, fingers were being pointed.
Once again, those who’d defended Rapid City were in the limelight, and that included the Unwanted Bastards.
The MC who’d lost everyone bar three brothers.
We’d had to put security on the clubhouse door, hired from the Fallen Warriors MC, who dealt with this type of problem.
Visitors wanted to talk, take pictures, and be seen around the brothers.
Nanci had nearly been arrested twice for bitch-slapping a couple of women to our amusement.
Once again, the game of Capture the Flag had been delayed, and I didn’t think it would happen until spring.
We’d gone out yesterday to play, and dozens of people stared at us.
Inglorious ordered everyone home amidst the camera flashes.
Life was continuing, and we were coping as best as possible. Sometimes I woke up screaming or crying, but Vortex was always there to soothe away any nightmare.
Things like this today brought back memories I didn’t want to remember. I reached down for my phone and dialled Papa.
“Have you seen the news?” Papa asked immediately.
“Yes.”
“Dad and I are taking Declan away for a few weeks. We’ll stay in touch, but we think we should start moving around. That way, Declan is difficult to locate,” Papa said.
“This is awful. Why is this man doing this?”
“Until he’s caught, we won’t know. But it’s unsafe for Declan. The culprit had no qualms about killing children before, and Declan’s high risk. Come with us, honey.”
A movement made me glance up. Vortex stood in the doorway, unashamedly listening.
“That can’t happen, Papa, my face is too recognisable. You have to blend in with Declan. Honestly, I’d bring you more attention.”
In my mind’s eye, I imagined Papa closing his eyes. He understood my argument was valid even though he might want to argue it. The best thing was leaving me behind.
“Plus, we’ve Arabella here, Papa, she needs me,” I said.
“When do we get to meet my granddaughter?” Papa demanded.
I’d sent them loads of pictures and videos.
Explaining the circumstances had been difficult, but Vortex claimed Kyleah had done a bunk.
Vortex had made it clear, even though he was named on the birth certificate, Arabella wasn’t his blood.
He hadn’t wanted my dads to believe that he’d lied about Kyleah.
But he also asked that they keep Arabella’s birth parents’ secret.
My dads both respected the hell out of Vortex for that. Dad stated it would have been easy for Vortex to give Arabella up. Instead, Vortex had stepped up and behaved like a real man.
“When you get back. Hopefully, this will be resolved soon,” Vortex replied.
“Hi, son,” Papa said. I barely hid a smile. Papa, all uniform, rules, and regulations, and Vortex, a law unto himself, and jeans and tees. Two totally different men who were beginning to build a relationship.
“Hey Phil. How’s the packing going?”
“Mine’s done. Duke’s trying to fit the fuckin’ kitchen sink in his suitcase,” Papa complained. Oh, shit, Dad probably was.
“Okay, go sort Dad out before he also tries to pack the house as well,” I said to Papa.
“Love you, kid,” he muttered.
“Love you, Amy!” Dad yelled from somewhere.
“Back at you both, love you too,” I replied and cut the call.
Vortex came and sat next to me. “You okay?”
“No. This damn thing is creating distance for everyone, and I hate it. I just want to return to normal, but I can’t. Honestly, I wish this were over,” I answered.
Vortex wrapped an arm around me. “It won’t be much longer.”
“Hope not. Hey, she’s asleep,” I murmured and began tracing his muscles.
Vortex grinned and bent his head to kiss me.
Arabella let out a wail.
“You’re kidding me?” I gasped.
“Cockblocker,” Vortex accused Arabella as he picked her up. Arabella snuggled into him, and the harsh planes of his face softened. Guess Arabella was a daddy’s girl, just like me.
Inglorious
“They won’t take it seriously?” I asked.
“No. And it’s soon. Not imminent, but soon. Aurora got the distinct impression he wants the survivors dead before trying again, but she’s not confident. But yeah, another zeppelin will be bombed,” Klutz said.
“What is his fuckin’ issue with them? Could she identify which?”
“Yes. She saw a city in the clouds. It looked Greek. Aurora is certain it’s the Olympus of the Skies.”
“I’ll speak to the Feds, not that I think they’ll listen to me either.”
“Inglorious, it’s another three hundred people at risk. We’ve got to try something,” Klutz stated urgently.
“If this fails, get Drake to contact Winslow or Wainwright,” I suggested.
“Drake’s not available,” Klutz replied.
Shit, what did that mean? Did I ask? “Ace?”
“Yeah. Ace is around.”
“If you need to, Klutz, call Phoe and have her phone Wainwright direct.”
“Speak soon,” Klutz said and cut the line.
My door opened, and Vortex entered. “What’s up?”
“Aurora-Victoria had another vision. She witnessed a second zeppelin go up. The Olympus of the Skies, this time. But before that happened, she saw Merritt and Amy pushing a pram. Someone makes a cry for help from the alley leading to the school, and Amy goes to help and is taken.”
Vortex straightened. “Amy’s walking Arabella now.”
He raced out of the clubhouse, and I leapt to my feet and chased him.
We headed towards the path, annoyed by the crowds.
People were fuckin’ everywhere, and we had to shove our way through.
We ducked down the alley leading to the schoolhouse and heard a baby crying.
Vortex surged ahead, and I spotted what he had. A pram alone near the schoolhouse.
“Arabella!” Vortex cried and snatched her up. My heart sank, and my blood ran cold when I saw the abandoned pram.
Amy was gone.
Vortex’s frantic gaze raked the surroundings, but there was no sign of her.
Amy
Arabella was restless, so I dressed her warmly and put on my own outer garments. Fresh air and a walk would do her good. As soon as she was tucked into her pram and moving, Arabella quietened down. I shook my head with a smile. She was an easy-going little thing, but she had an attitude sometimes.
We window-shopped for about twenty minutes walking down the wooden walkway before turning around to go back. As we neared the alley that led to the schoolhouse, I thought I saw a shadow move down it. Strange, there was no reason for anyone to be there.
“Help!” a faint cry echoed, and I paused. “Is somebody there? Can you help? I’ve fallen.”
“Oh blast,” I muttered, unable to ignore a cry for help. I pushed Arabella down the path, and someone grabbed me. I instantly shoved the pram away so it didn’t get knocked over, and something closed over my mouth.
Desperately, I began kicking and trying to scream, but who knew chloroform could take effect so quickly?
“I have you now,” a voice murmured in my ear.
Yes, you fuckin’ did.
Vortex
“Anything?” I demanded, pacing back and forth. Drew glanced up from the monitor and shook his head.
“Fucker was aware of the cameras. Not a single shot of his face. He carried Amy out through the park.”
“That doesn’t make sense. There’s no road there,” I railed.
“That’s the way he headed. I’ve sent Bow,” Drew replied.
As soon as we had Arabella safe and sound in the clubhouse, Inglorious and Drew came straight to the sheriff’s office, where every camera in town fed into.
Drew had already been searching, alerted by Inglorious.
Doc had met us back at the clubhouse, and I’d paced anxiously for him to confirm Arabella was unhurt.
No sooner than the words left his mouth than I’d raced over here.
Twenty minutes had now passed since we got the call from Klutz.
But Amy had been gone at least half an hour.
She could be fuckin’ anywhere. I continued pacing back and forth as we waited for Bow to reply.
I felt like I was coming out of my skin.
The urge to search was nearly overwhelming.
But that was pointless. Until we had a direction, we’d be running around like idiots.
Five more minutes ticked past, and the MC was congregating in the sheriff’s office.
One by one, they came, all ready to give me whatever support I needed. Shockingly, even Gravey appeared—although he stood away from everyone.
“Fucker used a dirt road. I’ve found an abandoned ATV here. It’s one of ours. There are track marks from a truck, I think. The tyres are deep and wide.” Bow radioed through. “There’s also a rag dropped on the ground. I smell chloroform on it.”
“Shit. Which way did he go?” Drew asked.