Chapter 16 Kelsie
Chapter sixteen
Kelsie
I blinked awake to the sterile white glare of a hospital room. The warmth of someone’s hand stroked my knuckles in a slow, soothing rhythm. Turning my head, I saw Noah seated beside me, his face drawn with exhaustion. He looked like he’d aged ten years since the last time I saw him.
“Hey there, butterbean,” he said, his voice hoarse. “How are you feeling?”
“Sore,” I said in an equally hoarse voice. My throat felt as dry as a desert. “Fuzzy, too.”
“Horse tranquilizer will do that to you.”
A pause settled between us. Noah sheltered my hand in his palms and heaved a heavy sigh.
“How long have I been out?” I asked.
“Two days. You were on the verge of hypothermia.”
“And you've been here the whole time, haven't you?"
Noah nodded, fixing me with a tired look. He must have been out of his mind with worry when he realized that I’d been kidnapped.
“The doctor said you’re going to be okay. You’re being kept for observation, but when you’re conscious, you can go home.”
“My home? Or your home?” I dared to ask.
Noah shot me a withering look.
“We will discuss it later. You’re supposed to be resting, taking it easy.
Arguing with your brother just causes more stress you don’t need right now.
By the way, if you thought I was unbearably overprotective before, you will hate me after this.
I’m going to be such a pain in the ass. You have no idea. ”
I breathed a faint laugh.
“I could never hate you.”
Noah’s eyes softened and he touched my cheek. Another pause settled over us, heavier this time.
“Tell me what happened,” I said. “After…after I was taken.”
His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed hard. It took a moment or two to compose himself before he cleared his throat and started talking.
He told me everything. A biker showing up on his doorstep to fetch him. Ryker, bleeding, covered in pepper burns so badly that he could barely breathe. Still fighting like hell to get me back. And the Blackjacks rallying for a rescue mission.
“I can’t say that I’ll be getting a bike of my own and becoming one of the gang any time soon,” Noah admitted. “But I do owe them. So…maybe I’ll buy them a beer, or invite them over for dinner sometime.”
“That’s gracious of you,” I said.
“Well, if it weren’t for them, you would still be in that bunker.”
That was unsettling to think about. The air felt heavy with that realization. Noah was the first to break the silence.
“The doctor said the baby is okay, too, by the way.”
My breath rushed out with relief and my hand strayed to my stomach automatically.
The baby. She’s okay.
“I was going to tell you. I swear.”
Noah gave a non-committal hum, but it sounded tinged with a note of skepticism.
“Does Ryker know?”
I hesitated and plucked at the sheets.
“Yes.”
Noah scrubbed a hand over his face, sinking deeper into his chair.
“Don’t be angry with him,” I pleaded.
Noah huffed a dry laugh.
“I can’t make that promise. Not right now.”
Which was understandable. He needed time to process this. Ryker and I went behind his back, and kept him in the dark. He was bound to feel betrayed, hurt.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “I really am.”
Noah waved off my apology, shaking his head.
“The thing is, I’m not that surprised. I kind of knew already. I just didn’t want to admit it. You look at Ryker like he hung the damn moon and the stars. You’ve had a crush on him since you were a teenager, despite your best attempts to hide it from me.”
I blushed with scalding heat, slinking under the sheets.
“How come you never brought it up? You love embarrassing me. I would have been mortified.”
Noah shrugged.
“I hoped it would simply go away or die out after a while. Ryker is so much older than you, Kels. And he’s not exactly a warm and fuzzy teddy bear either.”
But I still love him, I thought.
“That crush only got worse as you grew older,” Noah continued. “I had no idea he felt the same way about you though.”
My heart fluttered at his words. I twisted the sheets in my fingers, resisting the urge to blurt a million questions. Have you seen him? Is he okay? Did you talk to him about the baby? Did he visit me in the hospital? Where is he now?
“When did you find out?” Noah asked. “About the pregnancy.”
“Yesterday,” I replied. “At the Gala. My stomach was bothering me all day, remember? So, I started putting the pieces together and doing the math. I took three pregnancy tests to be sure.”
He heaved a sigh.
“You’re supposed to use protection, Kelsie. Didn’t I teach you that?”
I grimaced.
“Yes, you did. It was a very awkward conversation and I don’t want to repeat it. Besides, Ryker and I did use protection. But…accidents happen. It’s not foolproof.”
Now it was Noah’s turn to grimace.
“Okay, okay, I don’t need details about what you and Ryker are doing when I’m not looking. Gross.”
I giggled as he squirmed in his chair.
“Am I making you uncomfortable? It’s usually the other way around.”
“That’s because it’s my job, butterbean. I’m your big brother. Which means I am duty bound to embarrass the crap out of my little sister at every opportunity that presents itself.”
“And you do your job very well,” I conceded.
Noah gave a sage nod.
“Thank you. It’s always nice to receive recognition for your effort.”
I squinted at him.
“In fact, sometimes you do your job a little too well.”
He narrowed his eyes in return.
“Watch it, kiddo. Don’t ruin the moment.”
I grinned at him. He grinned back.
Then he rose from his chair, cupped my face in his hands, and kissed my forehead. My smile trembled and I reached out, clutching his wrist. I truly didn’t know what I would do without him.
“I’m scared, Noah,” I whispered.
“You’re going to be fine,” he murmured.
Perching on the bed next to me, he smoothed a lock of hair behind my ear and chucked me under the chin affectionately.
“The kids at the day care center adore you,” he went on. “Every funky little crayon scribble they give to you is treated like a priceless treasure. Most people would throw them out after a while. But you’ve kept every single one.”
“Of course I did,” I said softly. “They’re the sweetest little angels.”
“That’s how I know you will be a fantastic mother, butterbean.
For every kid that crosses your path, you make them feel special.
It’s okay to be scared. But you’re smart, you’ll figure it out.
And if you need a cool uncle to babysit, I will offer my services.
” He paused and added with a sly look, “For a fee, of course. I’ll need compensation for all the stress that little tyke puts me through. ”
“Don’t pretend like you’re innocent in this equation,” I protested. “I’m sure you will teach her a few things that I won’t approve of.”
Noah’s eyebrows shot up.
“Her?”
I bit my lip with a small smile.
“Maybe. It’s too early to tell, of course. But I just…”
“It’s a gut feeling,” Noah finished for me.
I met his gaze and nodded.
“Yeah. Something like that.”
He patted my hand, tucking the sheets around me, fussing a little.
“For the record, yes, I will teach her a few things you won’t approve of.
That’s the fun part about being an uncle.
But I also have a gut feeling that she’s going to do some stupid shit all on her own.
Like getting the bright idea to tie a blanket around her neck for a cape and jump off the roof to see if she can fly,” he added with a pointed look.
“That was one time!” I said. “I was barely eight years old. I didn’t know any better. And besides, I learned my lesson after breaking my arm. I never did it again.”
“Oh, sure, you looked so disappointed when the friendly doctor at the ER gave you two lollipops instead of one, just because of your cute little pout,” Noah replied, sarcastically.
I cackled.
“That cute little pout got me out of all kinds of trouble.”
He grumbled and pretended to sulk.
“I should have known you would become a total menace when you discovered the power of flirting to get what you want. You didn’t even share your loot with me, either.
I was devastated. Heartbroken. Mortally wounded that my dearest, sweetest sister would neglect me that way.
You ate those lollipops—both of them—right in front of me and stuck out your lime green tongue, just to rub it in. ”
I rolled my eyes at his melodramatic theatrics.
“Now look who’s hamming it up. Would you forgive me if I got you a big bag of lollipops now?”
He feigned a dismissive sniff.
“Nope. I don’t hold grudges.”
I laughed.
“Liar.”
A comfortable silence settled between us again. I reached out and took his hand.
“Thank you. For everything.”
Noah smiled softly.
“You’re welcome, butterbean. Now, I should go call Ryker. I haven’t seen him since he went looking for you. But he…he should be here, now that you’re awake. You two have a lot to talk about.”
Ryker didn’t answer his phone. Noah called three times. I called five more times.
No response.
By the end of the day, I was released from the hospital and allowed to go home. To my surprise, Noah didn’t object when I asked him to drop me off at my apartment.
“I suppose you’d like to have your own space back again,” he said.
“It would be nice,” I agreed.
He paused, considering, as he turned onto the main road.
“I guess that’s understandable. I’ll sleep on the couch.”
I sighed with a faint laugh. Some things never change.
Glancing down at my phone, I saw the last text I’d sent to Ryker.
I’m pregnant.
There was still no response.
Where is he?
“Hey, Noah,” I said.
“Yeah?”
“Can we pay a visit to the Blackjacks clubhouse?”
A muscle twitched in Noah’s jaw but he didn’t protest.
“Do you think Ryker will be there?”
“I hope so,” I replied. “Maybe. I don’t know.”
Noah nodded and altered his route. When we arrived, it was late afternoon, and the parking lot was nearly full. Voices emanated from inside, and it sounded like a party was going on.
Mustering up every ounce of courage in my body, I took a bracing breath, and pulled the door open. Noah was right behind me, like a shadow, or a guard dog on patrol.
Nearly a dozen bikers filled the room. Some gathered at the bar for drinks and a meal. Others played pool or cards. The cloying scent of cigar smoke and beer hung in the air. A jukebox played quietly in the corner.
Scanning the room, I didn’t see Ryker present. So I tried to find a familiar face instead.
“Hey, sweetie.”
A woman about my age with glossy red hair and an enormous diamond ring gestured to me from behind the bar. When she turned around to grab a glass from the shelf behind her, the cut she wore read: Property of Blackbeard.
“Can I get you something to drink?” she asked. “I haven’t seen you around before.”
“We’re looking for Ryker,” Noah said. “This is Kelsie. I’m Noah.”
The woman’s face lit up.
“Kelsie and Noah. I heard about you two. I’m Leigh, Blackbeard’s Old Lady.” Raising her voice, she gestured to a dark-haired man at a nearby table, with tattooed knuckles and a charming smile. “Diego, honey. Get over here. I have a question for you.”
He rose from his chair in a smooth, graceful motion, stepping behind the bar. He wrapped his arms around Leigh’s waist, kissing her neck. This must be Blackbeard.
“You know, sweetheart, I have a reputation around here with the guys. You can’t expect me to come running like a trained puppy every time you summon me.”
Leigh beamed and reached up to pat his cheek.
“Don’t worry about protecting your reputation, baby. Everyone knows I have the big, strong, handsome VP wrapped around my pretty little finger. Now, keep the PDA to a minimum. Kelsie and Noah are looking for Ryker.”
Blackbeard slid his hands down to rest on Leigh’s hips, pulling her back against his chest. He raised his head to look at us.
“It’s good to see you two under better circumstances,” he said. “Unfortunately, I can’t help you with locating Ryker. I haven’t heard a peep from him.”
My heart sank.
“He’s not answering his phone either,” I said. “I’ve called but he won’t pick up.”
Blackbeard shrugged.
“That’s normal for him. After shit gets rough, he disappears to lick his wounds and pull himself together. You could try his cabin, but don’t get your hopes up. When Ryker doesn’t want to be found, he vanishes without a trace like a ghost.”