Chapter Twenty-One
Tease
THREE FUCKING DAYS. Sheridan has been away from Leo and me for three days now and we have no clue where the hell she’s being held.
Brick has been going through all of the footage from security cameras, we’ve talked to Eric more than once, and everyone has been out riding through town and the surrounding areas in search of Sheridan or her mother.
The guys have even tried contacting Jess and Foxy because there isn’t a doubt in my mind they’re involved in this shit.
Omen contacted Kat yesterday to get her here so she’s ready for the women.
My mom and Janessa have already said they plan on getting their hands dirty because no one is going to hurt Sheridan and get away with it.
They want to get revenge on her behalf because we’re almost positive she won’t be able to do much of anything once we bring her home.
Mr. Russell hasn’t left the compound since Leo was discharged from the hospital.
He’s staying at our house and has been out searching and calling everyone he knows for any information on Sheridan or her mother.
I’ve watched on as he’s broken down, blaming himself for his daughter being taken by her atrocious mother.
My dad has spent most of his time here with Sheridan’s dad because we’re all concerned about him.
If anything happens to him, my girl will never forgive us.
That man is her entire world and she will burn it to the ground if he’s hurt or sick because we didn’t keep a close eye on him during her absence.
Mr. Russell believes it’s because he fell in love with a fake version of her mother that it means he’s the one to blame for her being taken from us.
Yesterday I caught him crying as he held Leo, promising to bring his mama home to him even if it meant he gave his life for her.
That won’t be happening. It’s a promise I’ve made to myself.
My family will be safe and whole by the time we bring my Little Fairy back home where she belongs.
So far, I’ve managed to contain the rage and pain filling me.
I haven’t destroyed anything despite my parents, Janessa, and Knuckles when he’s here keeping a very close eye on me.
The only reason I haven’t exploded and gone off the rails is because of our son.
I have to be strong for him right now and be the dad he needs me to be.
I’m not going to allow my mom and Janessa to take care of him when I’m his dad.
Sheridan would want me to be the one taking care of him so that’s what I’ll do.
I need to be just as strong as she would be in the moment no matter what’s being thrown our way.
She makes me want to be the best version of myself and be a man she can be proud of.
Someone she wants to have at her side no matter what stage of life we’re in because I’m sure as fuck not gonna let her go.
I’m thinking of all the possibilities of where Sheridan could be as I sit in the nursery with Leo in my arms. I can’t stop looking down at him and seeing how much he already resembles the perfect combination of Sheridan and myself.
He’s got my nose and her violet eyes. His chubby little cheeks are so much like my girl’s when she was younger.
Yes, I’ve seen the pictures of her as a baby and toddler.
“Little Man, I might not be able to guarantee a lot of things in this life, but I will always ensure I keep our family safe. I didn’t do that when your mama was taken from us and I’ll make it up to her for the rest of her life.
Your mom is the best woman in the world, Leo.
She’s sweet, kind, determined, strong, genuine, and a ray of light on the darkest of days.
She instinctually knows when to simply sit with someone and wait for them to talk or listen to them as they rant and bitch about everythin’ under the sun.
She’ll be your best friend and also the person who protects you at all costs.
I’ll always be the bad cop because your mama doesn’t have the heart to play that role and ground you when it’s needed.
“I can’t wait until you’re old enough to see your mom in action, Little Man.
She can do anythin’. She’ll teach you how to change your oil, change a tire, work on any vehicle there is, and be your biggest supporter no matter what you wanna do.
Your grandpa made sure she’s an independent woman and taught her everythin’ she knows.
I can’t tell you how many hours she spent in the garage helpin’ me work on my bike over the years.
She would sing while workin’ or watchin’ me work on somethin’ while handin’ me tools.
Your mom was content to sit there and be with me no matter what I was doin’.
While I didn’t take her for granted, I didn’t make a move on her when we were younger because I was scared of fuckin’ up and losin’ her for good. I’m a dumbass for that.
“And she’s so damn smart. Your mama is goin’ to school to become a vet.
I’ve never seen anyone have a way with animals the way she does.
She’s rescued and saved more animals than I can remember.
I always knew she’d do somethin’ with them from the first time I saw her save a puppy regardless of how hurt she was because of it.
Your mom is the kind of woman who will put everyone else before herself and not hesitate to help anyone in need.
Hopefully you get that from her because I can be a selfish man when it comes to certain things.
“The only time you ever have to worry is when your aunt Shelly is here. When your mama and her get together, things become wild really quick. Though you won’t have a bigger defender than your aunt.
She always stood up for your mom and I know she’ll do the same for you.
Right now, she’s in college but she can’t wait to come meet you.
Prepare to be loved on and spoiled more than you could ever dream.
Your aunt will be the one who will cover for you when you’re in trouble and make sure you always have a wingman.
I don’t know if she’ll keep you out of trouble or help you get in it when you’re older.
Just remember everythin’ she does comes from her heart and she’ll love you like no other,” I tell my son while keeping my eyes locked on him as he sleeps in my arms.
Leo is still so damn small. The first time I held him, I couldn’t help but be scared I was going to hurt him somehow.
I’ve always held the kids in the club and been there for the birth of every single one of them.
It’s just different when it’s your own child.
Every single day I worry about him, if I’m doing the right thing, or if I’m about to screw him up beyond repair.
I imagine it’s the same fears and thoughts every new parent has.
“Hey, Axel,” Knuckles says, walking in the nursery and trying to be quiet so he doesn’t wake Leo up. We’ve learned he’s already a light sleeper more often than not and wakes at the slightest sounds. “How’s he doin’? Have you gotten any sleep?”
“Leo’s amazin’. He’s doin’ really good. I haven’t noticed any changes in his breathin’.
We do have a monitor if we feel it’s needed.
I don’t know how to use it, but my mom and Janessa were shown before we left the hospital.
I haven’t slept yet. I’ve been in here talkin’ with Leo.
Tellin’ him all about his mama and the amazin’ woman she is.
There’s no point in layin’ down when I know I won’t be able to sleep.
I can’t when my girl is out there somewhere and we’ve got no fuckin’ leads,” I answer my cousin honestly as he walks closer and looks down at my son.
“He’s so damn strong already and a fighter. Gets it from Sheridan,” he returns, trying to make me laugh even though I can’t. Eventually I’ll get my laughter and smile back. It will be the day my girl comes home and I can hold her in my arms, feeling her against my body.
“Of course he does. Just told him that very thing. You been out searchin’?” I ask him, knowing he hasn’t been here with the rest of us but not sure what he’s been doing.
“Yeah. I was out with Omen and Seth. Brick might have found a lead. He talked to Mr. Russell again and discovered a few things we forgot. Rooster called for church now so we can figure shit out and put a plan in place if we’ve got an actual location from him,” Knuckles says, his voice gentle as I snap my head up to look at him for the truth of the news he just gave me.
“Okay. I’ll let Mom know I’m leavin’. Is Janessa still here?
” I question, getting up and carefully putting Leo in his bassinet because I can’t put him in the crib yet.
It’s too big for him and I worry he’ll get stuck between the bars somehow.
It might be an irrational fear, but it’s there, nonetheless.
“She ain’t leavin’ until Sheridan comes home.
Doesn’t want your mom to get burned out takin’ care of Leo all on her own.
The kids see it as a giant slumber party and you know they love bein’ here at your house.
You’re stuck with us until Sheridan’s back and safe,” he assures me, resting his hand on my shoulder as we look down at my son for a minute.