Chapter 9 Rachel
Rylee’s scream woke me from a deep sleep. She rolled away from me at some point, and now she was flailing, arms and legs slapping the mattress as she cried.
I reached for her, tugging her into my arms. Her whimper broke my heart. “It’s okay, baby. I’m here. Mama isn’t leaving you.”
“I was so scared.”
“I know you were, but it’s okay now. You’re safe. I promise.”
“And grandpa is here too. No one is getting through this door, angel.”
She lifted her tear-streaked face from my shoulder. “You chased all the bad men away.”
“I did. They’re all gone.”
“What if they come back?”
“They won’t. I sent other bikers like me after them.”
Her eyes widened. “Will they catch them?”
“They already did, angel. No more bad guys.”
I could feel her body sag with relief. “Okay.”
“Are you still sleepy?”
Rylee shook her head.
“Hungry or thirsty?”
“My tummy is a little rumbly.”
“How about I go make you a grilled cheese?” I offered it since it was her favorite. “You can stay with grandpa until I get back.”
“Promise you won’t be gone long?”
“Yes. I can call you on FaceTime, and you can see me the whole time if you want.”
She nodded, and I gave her a big hug.
“Dad?”
Hannibal scooped up Rylee and settled with her on the bed. He draped a blanket over her, tucking her in as she rested beside him, snuggling against his side. “I’ve got my little angel. We’re going to watch some cartoons.”
Rylee perked up. “Barbie?”
He smiled. “Of course. All the Barbie movies you want.”
How adorable.
He played the movie, then gestured for me to leave, since Rylee was fully engrossed from the start. I didn’t think she needed to Facetime me now, but I had my phone in my hand just in case.
I closed the door with a soft click as I exited and nearly jumped when I saw the guy standing in the hall. My hand went straight to my heart. “You scared me! Where’s Crypt?”
“Uh, sorry. Grim ordered me to stay put and guard this room. Crypt left with Grim. Not sure where they went,” the prospect replied.
“Oh. Well, thanks. I need to get my daughter some food.”
“Kitchen is across the hall from the bar. Grim keeps it stocked, so you should be able to find anything you want. I can message one of the other prospects to give you a hand if you like.”
Sweet offer, but no. “I’m good. Thanks.”
He moved in front of the bedroom door as I walked away from him, taking the stairs to the lower level of the clubhouse.
I glanced at the time on my phone, surprised to notice that it was already after eight in the evening.
Our nap lasted several hours. I didn’t mind.
Rylee would sleep again when she was tired.
I never had a problem with her keeping to a schedule once she was over a year old.
The bar was loud and crowded as I passed through, not making eye contact with anyone as I headed toward the kitchen.
The prospect told me the truth. The fridge, which opened with French doors, was packed with food.
Someone took the time to organize, prep, and prepare meals, which were stacked in clear containers.
Fresh fruit and vegetables filled drawers along with various cheeses and sandwich ingredients.
Best of all, they had the butter and cheese Rylee loved.
I pulled out what I needed and began assembling everything for several grilled cheeses, since Hannibal and Crypt might like one too.
I ended up making six, then putting everything away.
Since Rylee needed more than just grilled cheese for dinner, I cut up an apple, peeled an orange, and found a paper cup to fill with pretzels.
As I searched the kitchen for a tray, I opened the pantry, my jaw dropping at the shelves stacked with baking items, grains, cereals, and other necessities.
Someone must stock this place from a warehouse like Costco, because everything was stored in bulk.
I found cookies and granola bars, snagging a few to add to my tray as I loaded them on a small stack of paper plates and napkins.
The only thing I still needed was drinks. I loaded up a few water bottles, a Dr. Pepper for Hannibal, an iced tea for me, and a Sprite for Rylee because it always settled her stomach. The tray was heavy as I lifted it, but I didn’t have to go too far.
Or so I thought.
Halfway through the bar, I stumbled and nearly dropped the whole thing. I would have been pissed if that happened. An arm shot out to steady me, and I lifted my head to stare into the steel gray eyes of the man who once saved my life in a prison.
Crypt was back. He clucked his tongue at me and took the tray, ticking his chin toward the stairs. “Good thing I returned in time to save you from disaster.”
I had to smile. He wasn’t wrong. “Well, I thank you, and so do my tired arms.”
“Don’t lift heavy shit like that. Get help next time. Me, or one of the other members. Hell, even a prospect. None of us will mind.”
“Yes, sir,” I laughed, following him up the stairs.
“I’m serious. No need to get hurt.”
“I agree.”
“Good.” He cleared his throat. “How’s Rylee?”
“Awake. She had a nightmare.” I sighed, trying not to dwell on everything she suffered while those bastards my ex owed money to kept her from me.
She didn’t look malnourished, so at least they fed her, but I didn’t know how this would affect her over time.
I knew she would need therapy. I’d call for an appointment tomorrow.
“Sorry to hear that. Is she with Hannibal?”
“He’s keeping her snuggled until I get back.”
“That’s good.” Crypt stopped outside the door, and I reached for the handle. “Rachel?”
“Yes?”
“Grim and Hannibal will want to talk to you about the kidnapping. They want details about the men who took your daughter, their affiliations, and any risks the club needs to know about. It could bring heat on the club and their families.”
“I know. My priority is Rylee. I’ll talk to Grim when I’m ready.”
No one was going to push me to do anything before I took care of my daughter. Everything else could wait.
“I understand, babe. Just lettin’ you know so you’re prepared for that talk.”
“I appreciate it, Crypt.” I opened the door, and we entered, closing it behind us as Crypt set the tray on the table by the door.
There were only two chairs, and he sat on one of them, focusing his attention on the bed where Hannibal and Rylee were watching Transformers.
“What happened to Barbie?” I asked as I sat on the edge of the bed.
“Grandpa said it was giving him an earache, so we switched to robots,” Rylee explained.
“They’re a lot more fun. Right, angel?”
She shrugged. “I still like Barbie better.”
Hannibal squeezed Rylee, kissing the top of her head.
“You ready to eat? I can bring you a plate.”
“Yes, Mom.”
Her voice didn’t sound as tiny and lost as it did when Hannibal first brought her to me. Maybe there was hope she would be okay after such a horrible ordeal.
I made a plate with grilled cheese, fruit, pretzels, and a few cookies and brought it to Rylee. While she ate, I opened a water bottle and set it beside her on the nightstand, along with the Sprite. “Let me or grandpa know if you need help.”
“I will.”
She didn’t eat as much as she usually did, and I didn’t push her to finish her plate.
I wasn’t surprised that she finished the grilled cheese and cookies, but left some of the fruit and pretzels.
Rylee did drink most of the water bottle as I sat on the edge of the bed and ate, focusing more on her than anything else in the room.
Both Hannibal and Crypt ate everything I placed on their plates, eagerly finishing off whatever Rylee and I didn’t touch.
My father always had a healthy appetite.
I remembered that from my childhood. Crypt seemed to be the same.
They polished off two grilled cheese sandwiches each. There wasn’t a crumb left over.
I lifted the tray as Rylee snuggled against Hannibal, her eyelids drooping until she fell asleep. Hannibal closed his eyes, and I heard his deep breathing a minute later. They were both probably exhausted. “I’m going to take this downstairs.”
“I’ll come with you.”
The prospect was still outside the bedroom door, standing in the hall. He greeted us as we shut it behind us.
“I don’t want anyone bothering Hannibal or my daughter.”
“I’m not stepping away. They won’t be disturbed.”
“I appreciate it.”
The prospect dipped his chin at Crypt.
“We might be gone a few minutes. Grim wants to talk to Rachel.”
“Understood.”
I could never stand there for hours like that. I’d grow bored or have to pee, and that would be it for me. I’d be kicked out for not being able to stand guard outside a bedroom door.
“He’s a good prospect,” Crypt observed as we took care of the trash, placed the dishes in the sink, and put away the tray. I wiped off the counters and left the space as clean as I found it.
“Seems like it,” I agreed.
“Grim made a point to tell me he’s careful who they allow to patch in. This club doesn’t accept just anyone.”
“That’s good to know. “
“Hey,” Crypt began as I started to leave the kitchen. “Can we talk?”
“Sure.” I wasn’t sure what he wanted to talk about, but I didn’t have a problem hearing what he had to say.
Crypt faced me. “I haven’t stopped thinking about that kiss or your beautiful smile since the day we met.”
I didn’t expect him to admit that right now. “I’ve thought about it too.”
“I know I told you I came here to see you again, but it’s more than that, Rachel. It’s shit timing. I know. Just need you to know that I want to see if the spark we felt is real.”
He was so cocky. “How do you know I felt a spark?”
“Because of how you respond to me when I’m holding you.
” That was all Crypt said before he had me in his arms, back against the wall, and his mouth on mine.
And my God, the way he touched me, sent my blood on fire.
He held me like he didn’t want to let me go.
Devoured my mouth and kissed me like he couldn’t get enough.
I think I moaned. Or made some sort of noise because he growled in response, breaking the kiss to trail his tongue along my jawline, tasting, nibbling with his teeth, and making me shiver with anticipation.
I’d never been so thoroughly ravaged by a man’s mouth as he sucked, licked, and nipped at my skin.
Open-mouthed kisses trailed up my neck and back to my mouth.
His lips claimed mine again, ravishing, taking, and if the wall wasn’t holding me up, I would have lost my balance.
Crypt finally pulled away, staring into my eyes with a raw hunger that nearly stole my breath.
“I want you, and I know this isn’t a one-time deal.
It’s not a few quick fucks to get you out of my system.
You have a little girl who needs you, so we’re gonna take this slow.
I’ll be patient. You’re worth it. Just know that if I get the chance to touch and kiss you, I’m taking it. Every damn time.”
Wow. I think I was a bit dazed. “Okay.”
His lips curled into a grin, and it wasn’t right that a man could look this sexy and tempting and irresistible. He had a sinful mouth and knew how to use it. At least, he did so far.
“Grim is waiting, Brown Eyes. We should talk to him before we go upstairs.”
This wasn’t fair. He didn’t look as ruffled or sex starved as I felt. In fact, he just looked good enough to make me want to forget all the rules and ride his cock until my thighs shook from my orgasm.
But that was reckless, foolish, and I had responsibilities. Not to mention, my daughter needed me upstairs. This wasn’t a hardship. I loved her and would give up anything for her, no questions asked.
There was just that tiny little voice in the back of my head whispering how good it would feel to give myself to a man like Crypt.
I ignored her, but it sure would have been nice to be selfish for once.
Maybe under different circumstances, I would consider it, but not after my daughter had been through hell.
She needed me, and that was all that mattered.