Chapter 21
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
NEVAEH
Everyone is on high alert with all of this.
The guys, including my brothers and dad, all head into the room they hold church.
Viking has declared we’re on full lockdown, meaning none of the ol’ ladies can go anywhere.
We’re stuck in the clubhouse and can’t even go outside.
I love being outside, it keeps me from thinking of when I wasn’t able to smell the fresh air, but with what’s going on I don’t protest. This scares the hell out of me, I don’t want anything else to happen. At least, no more than it already has.
I told Maverick I’d do anything to not have to go to a safe house and I meant it. So, I’m listening and not going out for fresh air. Not taking the chance of someone seeing me outside this clubhouse. Or taking the chance of someone getting to me on club property.
I’m scared because Ryann’s out there somewhere, and I don’t know what’s happening to her.
Exhausted, I decide to go to Maverick’s room because there’s nothing else I can do right now.
Plus, my head is throbbing. When Pirate started talking about the auction and how it had a time frame on it, something clicked in my brain, and I remembered the broker and how he worked with my uncle.
The image of them popped in my head and I knew they were related. Brothers.
I feel responsible for what’s happening to my friend and everything else that’s going down.
I sprawl onto Maverick’s bed and close my eyes. It’s been days since I slept alone, and it feels weird.
Sleep takes me almost instantly only for me to wake up in a panic.
My breathing heavy, sweat beading my body.
I jerk upright and glance around the room, blinking away the spots peppering my sight at the quick movement and bright light filling the space.
It takes me a moment to get my bearings and remember where I am.
That I’m safe. Perfectly safe where no one can touch me.
Maverick won’t let anything happen to me.
I rub my hands over my face and shake my head.
“It was only a dream,” I tell myself, thinking about the dark hole I felt myself falling into.
The depths of despair. Hands reaching for me, clawing at me.
The screams ringing in my ear. God, it was horrific, and I wish there was something I could do, but there’s nothing.
It’s all dark and I didn’t know where I was.
My stomach tightens, and I throw the blanket off me.
I all but run to the bathroom, hand over my mouth.
I barely make it to the toilet in time. I don’t remember the last time I ate.
I know I didn’t eat dinner and lunch I think I nibbled.
All that I manage is to dry heave. Leaning back, I scramble to get up but fall to the side, feeling weak.
Tears stream down my cheeks and I curl in on myself.
“Nevaeh.” Maverick’s voice echoes in my head and a chill rushes up my spine. “What’s wrong?” he asks, squatting down in front of me. My eyes focusing in on him. “Come on, Sweets, talk to me.”
“Just a dream,” I tell him. “A really bad dream.”
“I’m sorry, baby,” he murmurs, stroking my hair out of my face. “With everything that you’ve been through in the past few days, it’s a lot to take on and handle all at once.” I nod and allow him to help me to my feet. “Come on, let’s get back in the room and on the bed.”
“Okay,” I whisper and lean deeply into him, tears blurring my vision.
Maverick scoops me in his arms, carries me to the bed, climbs in, and lays down, holding me securely to him. “Wanna tell me what the dream was about?”
“I don’t know for sure,” I answer and explain what I remember of it. How terrified it made me feel. The whole time I talk, Maverick massages my scalp and it feels wonderful.
“I’m sorry, baby,” Maverick whispers, pressing a kiss to my forehead and tightening his arm around my waist. “I wish I could take the nightmares away.”
“You do,” I murmur and snuggle deeper into him. “When you’re here, the nightmares are gone.”
“Yeah, and how do I do that?”
“You do it because I know with you, I’m safe,” I answer and pull away to meet his gaze. “I know as long as I’m in your arms, sleep or not, nothing will touch me.”
“Good to know, Sweets.” The way his eyes glimmer and his lip twitches he likes what I’ve just said to him.
Leaning up on my elbow, I focus deeply on his eyes and ask. “Have you all figured out what you’re gonna do to get Ryann back?”
“We’ve worked a plan out.” Maverick nods.
“And?”
“I came in here to tell you I was heading out with some of my brothers. I’ll be back when I can, but we’re going after her,” he answers and reaches out to stroke my cheek. “I don’t know how long we’ll be out, but I want you to promise me, you’ll stay here. You won’t try and go anywhere.”
“I promise.” I don’t waste time in telling him because I know I’ll do what he asks. I won’t go looking for trouble or anything like that. This is serious and I won’t interfere in anyway.
“Good.” He grunts and pulls me flush to him once more, rolls us, and slants his mouth over mine in a claiming yet sensual kiss that leaves my toes curling.
Then he pulls back and leans his forehead to mine.
“Sucks, I’ve got to leave you, baby, especially after what you said about your nightmares, but remember something for me. ”
“What’s that?”
“You’re my woman, and I’d do anything for you. I’ll fight your battles, your demons, everything and anything to make you feel safe. I also want you to know that if something were to happen to you, I’d lose my mind. You mean everything to me.”
“I do?” I blink up at him.
“Damn right you do,” he says and brushes his lips softly against mine.
“What your mom said about me being the other half of your soul? Well, she’s right, because I know, without a doubt, you’re my other half as well.
Knew it the first moment I saw you. I just had to bide my time until you were ready.
Now that I’ve got you, I’m not letting you go. ”
“And I’m not letting you go either,” I whisper, my lips a breath from his.
“Good to know, Sweets.” He grins and kisses me again. “Now, be good and when all this shit is done, we’ll move on from it as we move forward.”
“Move forward? What do you mean?” I ask, somewhat confused.
“What I mean is, I intend to marry you, Nevaeh,” he answers, lifting up on his elbow.
“I intend for us to have a family. One that includes your parents and brothers, even your honorary ones. We’ll have a few kids because I want more than one.
I also plan to buy us a house where you can use that green thumb of yours to make the outside look just the way you want it.
The two of us will grow old together in that house, and I’ll make sure for the rest of my life, until my last breath, nothing, and I mean nothing, scares you to the point you make yourself sick over it. ”
“Is this you telling me you love me?” I blurt out unable to stop myself.
“Damn right it is.”
“I love you too.” My heart beats like a pounding drum in my chest as I speak the words I’ve never said to anyone who wasn’t related to me.
“I know you do, baby.” He grins and pulls away. “Now be good for me and if you need me for anything, I have my cell with me. All right?”
I nod and let out a heavy breath. “Okay. Be safe and bring my best friend home to me.”
“Will do, Sweets,” he says, leaving me there in his bed.
I stare at the ceiling, and I let out a breath, feeling horrible at the same time so happy. Happily in love with the man who holds my head. Horrible because Ryann’s out there and I don’t know where she is.
But I know one thing, the club will stop at nothing to bring her home. It’s what they do. Who they are. They’ll do whatever it takes to get Ryann back, and when they do? This time around, I’m sure they’ll leave a trail of blood in their wake doing so.