21. Savage #2
“Okay.” I could hear her engine whine as she accelerated. I was hoping she’d be able to get the speed she needed to ditch him until I heard her say, “He’s staying right behind me... It’s like he’s trying to hit me.”
“You gotta turn around.”
“I can’t.” Her voice was riddled with fear as she explained, “It’s a one-lane road. There’s nowhere to turn around... And if I pull over, they could block me in.”
“Where are you?”
“Out on Tate’s drive.”
The words had barely left her mouth when the line went silent. I called out her name over and over but got no response. Seconds later, the call ended. “God damnit!”
I was on my way out the door when Dad stepped in front of me and asked, “What’s going on?”
“Someone’s tailing Londyn. I’m pretty sure it’s one of the Stingers.”
“Okay, okay. I know you’re worried, but she’s a smart girl.” Dad kept his tone steady as he said, “She’ll make it out of this.”
“You don’t get it,” I snapped back. “It’s not just her in that car. Dalton is with her!”
“Who the hell is Dalton?”
Dad’s eyes were locked on mine as he waited for me to answer. “He’s my son.”
“Your son? What the hell are you talking about?”
“I can’t get into it right now.”
“The hell you can’t!” he roared. “Since when do you have a son?”
I turned to face him, but I didn’t respond. I was too busy trying to dial Londyn’s number again. The phone started to ring, and it wasn’t long before I heard her say, “Hey.”
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m sorry. The call just dropped. The reception...out...” The line was filled with static, but I was able to hear her say, “This car is still following me.”
“Give me the phone,” Dad ordered.
I was hesitant but knew better than to argue. “Hey, Londyn. I’m giving the phone to Dad.”
Without waiting for her to respond, I placed the phone in Dad’s hand, then listened as he told her, “Londyn, it’s Cotton. Can you give me your exact location?”
“I just passed the Grave’s farm.”
“Okay. Here’s what I’m gonna need you to do...” Dad’s steady tone never wavered as he told her, “The Johnsons live right up the road.”
He paused, then nodded, “Yeah, that’s it. I’m going to need you to turn left there. That’ll put you on Elm. Stay on that until you get to a fork and take another left.”
I’d been through some pretty rough spots, but nothing had ever gotten to me like this. I’d never felt as powerless as when I listened to Dad tell her which turns to take. It wasn’t fair. I’d just gotten them back, and the thought of losing them terrified me.
I was drawn back to the conversation when Dad said, “Yeah, that’s exactly what we’re doing. You take another left on Mason, and that will put you on the road back here, and me and the boys will be waiting for you up by the Shell station.”
She replied, and then he answered, “No. You just keep driving, and we’ll take care of the rest. I’m giving the phone back to Malcomb. If you need anything, you tell him, and he’ll relay it back to me.”
He seemed so chill, so confident, as he handed the phone back to me. I, on the other hand, was hanging by a string when I asked him, “What are you gonna do?”
“I’m gonna go get your girl and your kid back.”
“Then I’m going with you.”
“No, you need to stay here so you can be with her when she gets back. Keep her on the phone and help her stay calm.”
Without waiting for a response, he started for the door and said, “Rooster. Chains. Let’s go.”
He stormed out after Londyn, not as the ex-president of Fury, but as my father. I had no doubt that he would do everything in his power to bring her back. I brought the phone back up to my ear and asked, “Hey. How ya making it?”
“Okay.” Her voice trembled as she asked, “Do you know who this guy is or why he is following me?”
“I can’t say for sure, but it’s going to be okay. Dad and the boys are coming.”
“Dalton’s scared.”
“I know, baby, but everything’s gonna be okay. I just need you to focus on the road and try not to worry.”
“He’s backing off.”
“I bet he’s figured out that you’re heading back to us. How far are you from the Shell station?”
“I don’t know. A mile or so.”
“That’s good. You’re getting close... Dad will be there any minute.”
“I’m sorry about this.”
“Why in the hell would you be sorry?”
“Well, this isn’t the re-introduction I was hoping for. I would guess you feel the same.”
“No, but none of that matters. I just want you and Dalton back here safe.”
“I know, and... Oh, my God!”
“What?”
Relief washed over me as she said, “Someone just wrecked into the guy who’s been following me. I mean, really wrecked. They plowed right into him, and now they’re over on the shoulder. Should I go and...”
“No, no. That’s Dad. Just keep driving to the clubhouse.”
“Okay. I’ll be there in a second.” I listened as she said, “It’s okay, sweetie. Everything’s okay. We’re going to see Malcomb now.”
I heard him reply, but I couldn’t make what he’d said. I didn’t bother asking. I knew it wouldn’t be long before she and Dalton were here, and I could see for myself that they were both okay. I rushed outside, and my heart swelled with relief as I watched Londyn’s car pull through the gate.
As soon as she was parked, I rushed over and opened her door. I helped her out, then wrapped my arms around her, hugging her tightly. “Are you guys okay?”
“We’re okay.” She tucked her head against my chest as she hugged me back. “A little shaken up, but we’re okay.”
“I know, but you’re safe now. Let’s get you two inside and settle.”
“About that...” Her eyes skirted around the parking lot full of bikes. “Do we really have to stay or can...”
“I know this isn’t what you were planning, but I’m gonna need you to stay here until we figure out what’s going on with all this.”
“Why are you trying to figure it out? Isn’t that something the police should be doing?” her brows furrowed.
“You know how we feel about the cops.”
“But this is different!” she argued. “This guy tried to run me and Dalton off the road.”
“I get that, but you’re gonna have to trust that we’re gonna handle it.”
The words had barely left my mouth when Dad pulled back through the gate.
The front end of his SUV was crumpled all to hell, and the grill was all but shattered.
But it was still rolling strong as he drove around back and parked.
Concerned, Londyn leaned to the side for a better look. “Are they okay?”
“They’re fine.”
I knew it was only a matter of time before Dad got out of the truck with the driver, so I opened the back door and quickly pulled Dalton out of his car seat. “Come on, buddy. I’ll show you the clubhouse.”
“It looks sca-ree.”
“Maybe out here, but inside is super cool.” I started for the door as I told him, “You’ll see.”
As I’d hoped, Londyn followed close behind.
I led them down the hall and showed them my room before taking them down to the family room.
It wasn’t as private, but with the large flatscreen and pool tables, there were things to help keep them both distracted for a bit.
The second Dalton spotted the pool table, he muttered, “Yes!”
Without waiting for permission, he bolted over to one of the tables and started pulling out the different balls. I smiled as I told her, “I think he will be entertained for a bit.”
“Yeah, I’m sure he will.” She crossed her arms as she asked, “So, what’s gonna happen with the guy?”
“That’s not for you to worry about.” I placed my hand on her shoulders as I told her, “It’s gonna take some time to get used to being back in this world, Londyn. It’s not easy. You just gotta remember, there’s nothing we won’t do to protect the ones we love.”
“I remember.”
“I need to go check in with the others. Are you two going to be good for a bit?”
She looked over to Dalton and smiled when she saw him running after one of the balls. “Yeah, I think we’ll be just fine.”
“Good.” I leaned down and gave her a quick kiss. “I’ll be back when I can.”
“Okay. Take your time.”
I hated to leave them, especially under the circumstances, but I needed to find out who had tried to run them off the road and why. I hesitated for a moment longer, then turned and headed out to find the others. I’d barely started down the hall when I heard my father ask, “How long have you known?”
I didn’t want to have this conversation now, especially with Londyn and Dalton so close, but I could tell by the look in his eye that he wasn’t going to be put off again. Damn. I inhaled a deep breath before saying, “Let me explain...”