Chapter 23
Eva
Ilaid my cheek against the leather covering Butcher's back and closed my eyes.
Tears were still pricking at my eyes and my cheeks were flushed with mortification.
Somehow all those guys knew I slept with Idaho.
I was used to my business being displayed to my entire country, thanks to nosey reporters trying to catch a scoop, but I thought for sure I could have this one thing.
Last night with Idaho was almost magical.
Sure, he had a dirty mouth, but I really liked it.
He made me feel so special. His attention and care made it easy to push away the knowledge that he had his own agenda and he wasn't in love with me.
What I'd done last night hadn't been about love. I refused to believe it was. I just wanted to have an experience, with a man that I respected and trusted, before I was forced to face the uncertainty of the rest of my life. That was it.
Butcher tapped my knee, and I squeezed him tighter, not realizing my arms had begun to loosen as I lost myself in my thoughts.
The bike roared as he picked up more speed, heading toward home.
It was his home. All their home, but not mine.
What would it be like if I could stay? I sighed wistfully.
They all lived by their own rules. Did whatever they wanted.
For a short time, I was a part of that. When I first got here, I thought I could lose myself amongst all the faces.
Be a part of the crowd. Richard's plan ruined that for me.
If I was unlucky enough to see him again, I was going to do my best to make him regret that.
We pulled into the parking lot and Butcher waited as I swung off the bike. Sighing again, I waited for the guys as they got off.
Butcher shot me a speculative look. "Smoke and Hush didn't mean to embarrass you," he offered.
My brows rose. Butcher hadn't spoken too much to me. He was quiet and sort of intimidating, unless you saw him with the kids, then you got to see a side of him I was sure not many people ever witnessed. "It's okay," I told him. "I'm used to it."
"Used to what exactly?" Toxic asked.
"The invasion of privacy."
"Because you're a duchess?"
"I'm not a duchess," I said. "I'm the daughter of a duke. My mother is a duchess. My brother will be the next duke, and his wife will be a duchess."
"Remind me what city in Germany you're from again?" Toxic requested.
They both grinned at the look of disbelief I shot them. "I'm not from Germany. I'm from Luxembourg."
"Yeah," Toxic replied with a shrug.
"Luxembourg is its own country," I stated, "not a city in Germany."
"So it's a county inside of Germany," Butcher answered.
My jaw dropped open as I listened. "It's- You- The American school system didn't do a very good job educating you two," I told them, crossing my arms beneath my breasts.
"Eh," Toxic said with a nod of his head, "probably true." He looked over at Butcher. "Told you she didn't have a German accent."
"German," I sputtered. "I could understand if you mistook it for Dutch, but-" Smiles spread over their faces and I finally caught the humor glittering in their eyes. "You're teasing me," I said, shock holding me still.
"Sure are, Duchess," Butcher said. He nodded to where the car was pulling in. "Well, I am. Toxic might be serious. Looks like the others finally caught up."
I bit back a smile. They'd been teasing me to try to get my mind off the fact that the men, them included, were betting on when Idaho and I would sleep together.
I moved over to where Ricochet parked the car and waited for Sloane to get out.
My hand went to my heart as I watched her gently lift the baby out of her car seat.
"She's beautiful," I whispered, not wanting to wake her.
Sloane smiled at me. "Thank you. She looks just like her daddy."
"Even has his stupid hair," Toxic said, studying the mop of golden hair on top of her head. "Looks much better on her," he offered as Sloane laughed softly.
"Let's get inside," Hellfire told us. "Kit texted and said everyone is at Seek's place. We can go there, or I can tell them to come to yours, if you want, Sloane?"
"Unless she needs to rest," Butcher added. "If that's the case, one of you can stay with her at her place."
"I'm okay, thank you, Butcher. We can go to Seek's." She looked over at me. "You're coming too, right?" She sounded so hopeful and my chest warmed because at every opportunity these women have drawn me closer, accepted me. They seemed to genuinely want to spend time with me.
"Yes," I answered. "Thank you."
We all moved inside as one unit and when we got to Seek's apartment, everyone was quiet. Hellfire must have texted ahead and mentioned that the baby was sleeping, because with hushed whispers the women got up from where they were sitting and hugged Sloane, then me.
"Where are the kids? And the dogs?" I asked.
"Sylvia is watching them," Susie said with a smile as she traced her finger lightly over the baby's head.
"We'll go check on them real quick," Butcher said.
"I'll go with you," Hellfire offered and they left the room.
"What's her name?" Keely asked, her eyes soft as she looked down at the bundle.
"Noelle," Sloane replied, with a grin.
"Oh, because she's a Christmas baby," Gwen sighed. "That's beautiful."
"I love it," Jordan agreed. "How's Rip? Is he going to be released soon?"
"Static is working on it right now," Ricochet told us. "We'll know more later."
We all settled back down on the couches and chairs Seek had in her living room. Auron and Jecht laid down at our feet, ever the vigilant guardians. "Should someone stay and watch over Sylvia and the kids?" I asked.
"Bear is with them," Tori told me with a comforting pat on the arm. "They're using him as a jungle gym and having the time of their lives."
I relaxed after hearing that. We listened as Sloane told us about the birth. She looked exhausted, but thrilled every time she looked down at Noelle.
"Are you okay though?" Daisha asked. "With everything that happened with Rip?"
"I'm worried," she admitted, sadness filling her face.
"Don't be," Jenny told her. "The guys will get him out of there soon."
Dani wrapped her arm around Sloane's shoulders. "As soon as you need a break let us know and we'll put you down for a nap." She yawned. "When the time comes I'll probably do the same." Sloane laid her head on Dani's shoulder. "You guys always seem to know how to make things better."
"If Static has any trouble we'll send Keely to smack them around. Right Keels?" Dani looked around and frowned. "Keely?"
"She was just here," Kit said, looking around. "Where did she go?"
The guys looked over from where they were raiding Hush and Seek's fridge. "What?" Toxic asked.
"Did she go to the bathroom?" Ricochet asked. He set down the sandwich he'd been making and looked over at Toxic with a frown.
Butcher and Hellfire came back through the door. "Everyone's good over there," Hellfire announced.
"We have..." Kit grimaced when Jenny came back from the spare bedroom and shook her head. Keely wasn't in there. "A problem."
"What kind of problem," Hellfire asked, looking around.
"Keely's gone."
"Gone?" Butcher barked. Everyone shushed him, looking over at the baby. Noelle was happily snuggled against her mama and didn't bother to wake at the loud sound. "Weren't you watching them?" Butcher demanded, glaring at Toxic.
"Course I was, but," he shrugged, "might have detoured for a beer. It was only a minute."
"I'll go check her apartment," Dani offered, standing. "Maybe she slipped out to grab the gift she got for the baby."
"I'll go with you," Ricochet said, snagging his sandwich on the way. He gave Jordan a wink as he went.
We waited in silence the few minutes it took for them to go down the hall and come back. When they returned Ricochet was frowning. "She's not there either."
"Toxic, stay here with the women," Butcher said. "You two, with me. Spread out and search the compound for her."
"Her car is gone," Gwen announced from where she was standing next to the window.
"What?" Hellfire asked. "Where the hell would she have gone?"
The women looked around at each other and in unison announced, "To the police station."
"Shit," Butcher muttered. "Why can't anyone stay put when they're told to."
"Now you know how Lock feels," Toxic pointed out.
Butcher scowled at him. "That's Lockout's problem. I'm a grown fucking man and don't need to be babysat."
"And we're grown women," Dani said, "that doesn't keep you all from treating us like we need someone looking over our shoulders at all times."
"How many of you have been kidnapped?" Toxic asked with a sly grin.
"Shut up!" Every woman yelled in unison.
"Can't blame us for protecting what's ours," Hellfire replied, taking the heat off Toxic. "It's in our natures. You knew that when you started dating and married us." He was speaking to the group, but his eyes were on Kit. His usual jovial nature was gone, replaced with a grim air of danger.
I had a feeling if someone tried to come into the clubhouse now and start any trouble these men would happily pulverize them. "I could call Thomas," I offered. "See if he can go to the police station and watch over her."
"Priest and Smoke are still there," Hellfire reminded me. "They'll look out for her."
"Lock's going to strangle her," Ricochet muttered.
"He can't keep her confined here," Dani snapped. "She's not dating any of you guys."
"We're just trying to keep her safe," Toxic said. "Just like we do with you guys...uh women."
"And we appreciate that so much," Sloane told him in a soft voice.
"But Keely wants to help, and if she can get Rip out faster, I don't see the harm," Jordan stated.
"The harm," Butcher growled, "is that she left without anyone knowing."
"She snuck out," Hellfire added, "because she knew we'd stop her."
"With Fremont causing trouble again, it's not safe for anyone to go out alone," Ricochet added.
"And Lock gave that order not even an hour ago," Toxic explained, worry covering his features. "Why don't I take a ride down to the station? See if I can catch up with her? Give her an escort."
"I'm with you," Ricochet told him.
Butcher and Hellfire both nodded in agreement, and the two men left.
"Is she going to be okay?" I asked, looking at Seek and Kit.
"She'll be fine, Sweetie," Kit told me.
"At least until Lock gets a hold of her," Seek said with a snort of laughter.
I looked around at the women's faces and wondered what it would be like to truly be a part of this group?
Sure, the men made rules and expected the women to follow.
Much like my father with his family. But the women were so amazing.
They listened when it suited them and did what they wanted the rest of the time.
It seemed as though that caused trouble part of the time, but the women were free to make their own choices.
A realization began to dawn on me. I was, too.
Sure, my father expected obedience, but none of us had truly rebelled against him.
He'd given in to my demands both to work with him and to come here before it ever came to that.
Maybe...maybe I had more power than I thought I did.
The idea sent a buzz of excitement zipping down my spine.
If only I had the courage to face my father and take hold of what I wanted.