Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
Elaina
Miguel was quiet as we made our way to the fenceline that lined the edges of the property, blocking the clubhouse grounds in.
I knew it was supposed to serve as a barrier to keep unwanted people out, but I didn’t know how much a chain-link fence was supposed to do, really.
They were easily climbed, and as far as I could see, there weren’t any cameras facing the back of the property, which was where we were headed.
“Doesn’t feel very safe,” I muttered, a frown tugging at my lips.
Miguel looked around, taking in everything as well, though I was sure he’d already done so.
I was sure Alejandro wouldn’t have allowed me outside the clubhouse otherwise.
“There can be improvements,” he said, somewhat agreeing with me.
“However, Alejandro would not have brought you here if he did not think it was safe.”
We walked past a small road, and the gate that led out to it was chained shut.
It looked newer than the rest of the fencing.
Miguel chuckled when he saw what I was staring at.
“Joey’s ex rammed that gate on the run from a man who attacked her,” he explained.
“According to my reports, her Camaro had been unfixable after the crash and the bullet holes it got riddled with. Joey tried, though.”
“Joey has an ex?” I asked. I didn’t know why that surprised me. Joey was a damn good-looking man, but he just didn’t seem like the type to let a woman go once he decided he wanted to be with her.
“Mhm,” Miguel hummed. “Adelaide Berkley, though her last name is Boris now. She’s married to the president of the Fathers of Mayhem MC.”
My gut clenched at the sound of her name. I spun to face him, my heart in my throat. “Did you say Adelaide Berkley?” I choked out.
He frowned, nodding at me. I curled my fingers into the hem of my shirt, my heart slamming against my breastbone. For a moment, I forgot how to breathe. My lungs were being constricted, and I couldn’t figure out how to make them work again. My knees trembled, threatening to give out on me.
“Elaina, what is wrong?” Miguel asked, his hands coming to rest on my upper arms. His accent was thicker now, alarmed in the face of my panic attack. “Why are you panicking?”
“Adelaide,” I choked out, tears burning in my eyes. “She escaped?”
He frowned at me, his eyes running over my face just as hot tears slid down my cheeks. He nodded. “She did,” he finally answered. “What do you know, Elaina?”
“Vin,” I choked out. “He—he worked with my f-father.” Why was it so hard to breathe?
I should have been happy she was safe and alive.
So why was I panicking? “He was murdered, and my father couldn’t ever find her again.
She was to be sold to him the night she disappeared and Vin was killed.
I thought she was lost in the trafficking ring. ”
Miguel wrapped an arm around my shoulder and led me back toward the clubhouse. “She is safe and alive, Elaina,” he assured me just as I began to shiver, my teeth chattering. He pushed open the clubhouse door, barking, “Alejandro!” as we stepped inside. Miguel eased me into a chair. “Sit tight.”
“What is going on?” Alejandro snapped, his accent thicker than usual as he appeared from the kitchen.
Joey burst out of the chapel at the same time, and the moment he laid his eyes on me, he stormed over. “Why is she crying?” Joey snapped. He kneeled in front of me and glared at Miguel. “The fuck did you do to her?”
“I did nothing,” Miguel told him calmly, his face expressionless. “Adelaide’s name sent her into a panic attack. She needs a blanket and something warm to drink.”
“Then get to moving,” Alejandro growled as he made his way to me.
Joey cupped my damp cheek, using his thumb to wipe some tears away. “I need you to tell me why Adelaide’s name made you panic,” he coaxed, his tone gentle and soothing. He kept stroking my cheek, and somehow, the movement was calming me a little.
I swiped at my cheeks, sniffling. My hands were trembling, and I was still shivering. “She was with Vin,” I managed to get out. “He was killed. She disappeared. I thought she’d gotten lost in the trafficking ring, but she’s s-safe.”
“Why is that making you panic?” Alejandro asked, confused and worried. He glanced at Joey for a moment, then looked back at me, his brows furrowed.
“She’s overwhelmed,” Joey said quietly. “And she’s trying to process too much at once.
” Miguel appeared with a blanket, and Alejandro quickly took it from him before draping it around my shoulders.
I curled my fingers into the fuzzy, soft fabric, tugging it tighter around me.
“How do you know Adelaide, sweet girl?” Joey asked, his voice soft and tender.
“She tr-tried to help me escape,” I stuttered, wishing my fucking teeth would stop chattering so much. “We were caught before it could happen, and they separated us. It was early on in her captivity. I d-doubt she even remembers me.”
Joey ran his hand over my hair. “Well, we’re going to find out.” He looked at Alejandro. “You’re getting your wish. I’m contacting River. No matter what, Adelaide will want to see Elaina, and River will come along.”
I looked between them, not understanding. But I was too tired to ask. The shivers were beginning to slow, and I was tired. Bone-deep exhausted. Panic attacks were so exhausting.
Joey stood to his feet and headed outside, pulling his phone from his pocket.
Alejandro bent and lifted me from the chair, cradling me to his chest. And surprising both of us, I wrapped my arms around his neck and tucked my face into the curve of his shoulder, just wanting to hide from the world for a little while.
Alejandro tightened his arms around me. “I’ve got you, pequena luchadora,” he said softly. “Rest. You’re safe with me.”
Even though I didn’t actually know what safety felt like since I’d never experienced it before, I had a feeling it felt a lot like this. And I wanted to burrow in it as long as humanly possible.