Angel: RBMC: Ankeny IA

by Kristine Allen

  Over Trace’s head, I shook mine at Ghost’s insanity.

  “He’s doing great, huh, Angel?” Ghost asked. My eyes rose heavenward, and I let out a sigh. All he could do was chuckle.

  “You’re a dipshit,” I muttered to Ghost. Trace gave me a little glare over his shoulder before returning to his task.

  After that, the brothers would come to us if they got a fucking paper cut. I’d begun to think they were intentionally injuring themselves to give Trace the opportunity to build endurance and control. Fucking nutcases.

  Except it worked.

  Each day, Korrie worked with Trace on his homeschooling, then I worked with him. I did my best to teach him how to pay attention to his surroundings. Also, how to assess the damage to someone and make the hard but wise decision of who could truly be helped. It was difficult teaching a young boy to concentrate and control an ability like we had. Despite the fact that I’d been that little boy once.

  It wasn’t the first time that I wished my grandfather was still around.

  Over the next couple of weeks, things seemed to settle into a comfortable pattern. Korrie refused to let me sleep in her bed, because Trace slept in the connecting room. Yet, every night and sometimes in the morning too, I worshipped the body that belonged to the woman I loved. Though she let me into her body, I could practically feel the wall keeping me out of her heart.

  What none of us admitted was that it was more like the calm before the storm. Something was brewing, but we didn’t know what.

  Surprisingly, I hadn’t seen hide nor hair of my father, though he’d called me several times and sent innumerable text messages. I should’ve blocked him, and I had no idea why I hadn’t. Maybe because I was keeping my enemies close.

  The “scandal” of Lester Damon embezzling and stealing from the people of the town before leaving the country made the news. I’d seen several broadcasts and online articles where his father had been waving off the media as they pushed for information from him. Facet had dropped more breadcrumbs to make the story believable.

  The Feds had contacted Korrie to question her about what she’d known. They had told her if they had any further questions, they’d contact her again, but it seemed like they were done with her.

  Her father had also called her, but she hadn’t told him she was in the area. When I tried to question her about it, she’d clammed up. I’d lost touch with where he was years ago, but I made a mental note to check on him now that Korrie and Trace were here. I also thought a family reunion might be in order. I’d talk to Korrie about it later.

  Kira had had the baby the night before, and we were preparing to go see them.

  “You better go round up your woman,” Phoenix teased me after we’d finished breakfast and Korrie had taken Trace back to his room to get him settled with his babysitter. She was supposed to be getting ready.

  “Kickstands up in twenty minutes!” Venom shouted across the common area. I set my cue stick on the pool table and made my way back to her room.

  “You about done?” I asked Korrie as I leaned on the doorframe to watch her as she braided her hair. It shone chestnut in the light, and I fought the need to unbraid it to let it flow. Her eyes met mine in the mirror, and I read the nervousness in her expression.

  “Yeah. Are you sure it’s a good idea to ride on your motorcycle? It’s pretty cold.”

  I chuckled. It had been unseasonably warm, and things had been uneventful, so the club decided to ride over to the hospital. Most of us rode when it was colder than it was that day.

  Goob’s ol’ lady had a hard time getting on the bike after having knee surgery, so she volunteered to stay with Trace. I’d offered to help her out with her knee, but she’d brushed me off. Her and Goob had their first great-grandchild on the way, and she said she needed to get back in the practice of being around little kids. Trace had taken great exception to that verbiage.

  Maybe it was silly, but I was excited to have Korrie on the back of my bike for the first time.

  “We’ll be fine. You look good in those chaps,” I said with a smirk as my gaze slid over her. “Think I could convince you to wear nothing but those later?”

  She let out an unladylike snort, but I looked up in time to catch the flush that colored her cheeks a beautiful pink. “You’re ridiculous, you know.”

  The corners of my lips lifted in a happy grin. “But I’m all yours.”

  Her hands dropped after wrapping the band at the end of her braid. She turned to me and wet her bottom lip. “Some mornings I wake up and I still can’t believe it’s true—that I’m here with our son and he’s getting to know you.”

  We moved toward each other, and I wrapped my arms around her. Grabbing her ass cheeks in my hands, I kissed her softly. “Well, it sure as hell is, and I’m the luckiest man in the world for it.”

  “I wish we hadn’t lost so many years,” she started, but I stopped her with a light kiss.

  “No more looking back. Okay?” I raised a brow as I waited for her to answer. For a moment her brow wrinkled and she looked sad, then she shook it off and her expression softened. It didn’t take a genius to figure out that she couldn’t stop looking back and that when she looked forward all she saw were insurmountable odds.

  She gave me a peck before she stepped back and turned to peek into Trace’s room, where he was playing Go Fish with Lynda. “You gonna be good for Ms. Lynda?”

  I looked over her shoulder and made a goofy face at my son, causing him to giggle. When Korrie turned to look over her shoulder at me, I gave her an innocent smile. Those gorgeous green and brown irises were eclipsed when she narrowed her eyes on me suspiciously. Lynda was hiding behind her cards, trying not to laugh.

  “What?” I asked, batting my eyes dramatically with a deadpan expression.

  “You two better get going. You’re holding up our game over here,” grumbled Lynda playfully.

  I shot her a mock salute and stepped past Korrie to where Trace was sitting at the card table with his toes dragging along the floor while he swung his legs. “Love you, little man. We’ll see you soon.”

  He stood up, pushed his chair back, and hugged me. My heart ached as I wrapped my arms around him. Before I could get choked up like a pussy, I cleared my throat and stepped back so Korrie could crouch in front of him to say goodbye. Feeling fortunate that he’d so quickly accepted my place in his life, I gave a lopsided grin at my little family.

  “We’ll see you soon. If you need anything, you have Ms. Lynda call us. Okay?” she said, and Trace gave her a patient smile.

  “Mom. Everything will be cool.” His mature way of handling most things never failed to amaze me. Then again, I was a lot like him at that age. I’d been looking after my sister for over a year by the time I was eight.

  “Love you, buddy,” she murmured, and he smiled as he hugged her neck tight.

  “Love you too, Mom.” He sat back at the table and focused on his cards. Then he glanced my way and raised his brows. “Dad, I expect you to keep my mom safe on your bike.”

  “Roger that, little man.” I took her hand in mine. “Let’s go,” I whispered in her ear. Reluctantly, she left the room and followed me out to the bikes. There was a decided nip in the air, but the sun was shining brightly as I pulled on my helmet and slid my shades over my eyes.

  When I climbed on my bike after Venom was seated on his, I glanced at Korrie. “Come on, babe. Hop on.”

  Her chest was rising and falling heavily, and her eyes had a bit of a deer in the headlights look as she stared at my ride. “Umm.”

  “Babe?” I questioned as the brothers began to start their bikes.

  “I’ve never been on a bike,” she finally said as her gaze rose and locked on mine. Inwardly, I sighed in relief, because that was something we could work with. It made me happy as fuck that not only would it be the first time she rode with me, she’d never been on the back of anyone else’s either. I wished Jasmine had decided to come with, because she might’ve been able to tel
l Korrie she could trust me.

  They’d become closer over the past weeks, which was a relief. It was a big deal for the most important women in your life to get along. And though Jasmine may not be crazy about the club, she did appreciate riding with me from time to time.

  “It’s okay. All you have to do is relax. Hang on to me and lean slightly when I do. I put the sissy rest on for you, so your ass won’t slide off the back.” I grinned at her eyes widening at my teasing comment. “Babe, I’ve got you. Trust me?”

  “Yeah, but not so sure I trust the other drivers out there that don’t pay attention.”

  Hawk revved his throttle as he looked over his shoulder at me in question. Korrie was still frozen in her boots, shoulders damn near touching her ears. I saw him lean over to Venom, say something to him, then drop his kickstand to get off his bike and head our way. He gave me a reassuring chin lift.

  “Hey, pretty girl,” he murmured. She looked up at him as her chest kept rising and dropping with a shudder. “Nervous?”

  With difficulty, she swallowed hard and nodded. He pulled off his glove and ran a finger over the curve of her cheek. She took one deep breath, then her shoulders dropped as she appeared to relax.

  A relieved smile lifted her beautiful cheeks. Hawk held her hand and set it in mine as she climbed on behind me. I gave him a thankful nod, because a lot of clubs would’ve told me to “leave the bitch behind.” Instead, he grinned and shouted, “Let’s ride, boys!”

  Reaching back, I gave her calf a little squeeze to let her know I had her, then encouraged her to hang on to my waist as we pulled out of the lot. A prospect rolled the gate shut after the last bike cleared the opening.

  Voodoo was calling as we started down the road. Though I could see the call coming through, I wasn’t able to answer it on the bike. I grinned at his excitement for us to get there. His mom had been at the hospital with them since late last night when they’d gone in. Kira’s mom had been in Russia visiting her family for the last few months and had storm delays, so it would be a day or two before she got back in country.

  With each turn we took, Korrie’s fingers clenched my cut tight. When we accelerated, she leaned into me. After the first few miles, I felt rather than heard her laughter as it vibrated against my back. By the time we all parked at the hospital, she was grinning from ear to ear and her cheeks were flushed rosy from the wind.

  I hung our helmets on the bike and turned to her as everyone dismounted and took off their helmets and gloves. Opening the saddlebag, I pulled out the black-and-orange gift bag I’d crammed in there.

  “God, Angel! What have I been missing?” Her laughter was rich and did something to my insides as I grabbed the front of her leather jacket and pulled her in for a kiss. Her nose was cold, but she’d obviously enjoyed the ride. We smiled mouth to mouth as her eyes sparkled. “I can barely feel my fingertips, but I’m pretty sure they might be overrated.”

  Heart full, I chuckled before I stepped back and put an arm around her. Heads tipped together, we followed the brothers in the front doors. We garnered many looks, everything from awe to fear, but for the most part we ignored them. Everyone smashed onto the elevator and rode to the floor Voodoo had texted us earlier.

  “What’s the weight limit on this thing?” Korrie asked nervously. Several of the brothers snickered.

  Ghost leaned down to her ear and smirked as he whispered, “We’re just shy of the max. Scared?”

  If we hadn’t been packed in there like sardines, I might have smacked him across the back of the head. As it was, I could only shoot him a warning glare. My girl had finally chilled the fuck out, and he was trying to screw with her.

  The doors dinged as they opened, and we poured out, a mob of leather and chains. Laughter bounced back and forth as we carried our gifts out of the confined space.

  A security guard stood off to the side and gave us a dirty look. We tried to smother our laughter and appear upstanding and shit.

  Several nurses were huddled at the nurses’ station as we approached, and one stepped away from the group with a furrowed brow. “Excuse me, can I help you?”

  “We’re just here to see our brother and his ol’ lady. They had a baby last night. The Duprés,” Venom leaned on the counter and offered helpfully.

  “And you are?” she questioned as a light red brow arched.

  “We’re the baby’s uncles,” Venom said with his signature smirk and a twinkle in his flirty eyes. I really had to fight rolling mine. For a guy in his early forties, he still had women eating out of his palm.

  “Okay, give me just a moment,” she said before going to the other side of the area and making a call. The way she surreptitiously cast glances in our direction as she talked made me a little nervous, so I stepped to the back of the group to be able to see down the hall both ways.

  My tension eased when she came back over with a nervous smile. “You can go back to the room, but please try to keep your visit brief.”

  Venom and Raptor shared a glance, then Venom looked to me. I gave a single, slight nod and held back at the rear as everyone clomped to the room.

  “Is everything okay?” Korrie whispered, obviously picking up on the subtle change in the air.

  “Not sure,” I said and pulled my phone out of my back pocket, belatedly thinking to check for messages after I’d missed the calls on the way here. The number of missed calls surprised me, because obviously not all had gone through on my bike. But before I could say anything, everyone was filing into the room and Squirrel’s goofy ass was blurting out, “Madame Laveaux! We didn’t know you would be here! Great to see you!”

  That’s when the somber faces registered. Well, everyone but Voodoo—he looked like he wanted to kill someone with his bare hands.

  Jameson was there with Sadie, which shocked me, but then again, I didn’t figure Adelaide Laveaux would travel all the way to Iowa alone. What surprised me was that he hadn’t mentioned coming up. He looked stone-faced, but there was an angry glint in his eyes.

  Voodoo’s mother, Julia, was hovering over Kira, and Hawk stepped up behind her with a strong hand resting on her shoulder. His brow was furrowed in concern as she threw her arms around his waist and buried her face in his leather cut.

  “What’s going on?” Venom asked cautiously as our smiles and laughter died a rapid death.

  “I tried calling you all,” Voodoo ground out before running a shaking hand through his hair and casting a concerned look at Kira where she lay in the bed with a bundled baby clutched to her chest. Tears started streaming down her face, and my heart sank.

  No. Please not the baby.

  “I just saw all the calls and messages, bro. We were on the bikes so we couldn’t answer you. Didn’t think to text you when we got here, cuz, well, we were here. What the fuck is going on?” I couldn’t handle it and I had to know. My heart had stilled as I stared at Kira crying. Like I had a vise around my lungs, I couldn’t breathe.

  Kira started to sob, and Voodoo’s hands covered his mouth as his eyes went wild. The things on the tray table rattled, and a cup tipped over. Sadie jumped in and mopped up the water with paper towels from by the sink. Voodoo’s grandmother bustled to the bed to smooth back Kira’s blonde hair, and Julia held her hand. She softly murmured to Kira.

  “Someone tried to take the baby,” Jameson growled. Hawk dropped his head and pressed his thumb and forefinger to his eyes.

  Several startled exclamations spouted up through our group. My chest became so painful that I wouldn’t have been surprised to look down to see it gaping open.

  The baby started to cry, and my heart started again. Relief flooded me.

  “What the fuck? Who was it?” Raptor asked as Venom and Hawk quietly talked to Voodoo in an attempt to get him to calm down. Hawk wrapped him up in a bear hug as Voodoo clutched his cut with shaking hands.

  “They don’t know. All we know is it was a woman posing as a nurse. Security took her off, so none of us got a chance to question her. Cops
were already here asking questions.” Jameson filled us in as he cast a glance at Voodoo, who was finally calming down a bit.

  “How the hell did she get in here?” I asked in frustration.

  “They came to get him this morning for change of shift assessments and vitals. We didn’t question it because it was the same nurse from yesterday that came to get him. From what they told us, it was when he was on the way back to the room that the other ‘nurse’ took off with him.” Voodoo was finally able to speak, thanks to Hawk.

  “Jesus. I thought they had security measures to prevent that.” Hawk growled. “Don’t they wear those fucking house arrest things?”

  “Yeah. One on his ankle and one on his umbilicus, but she was able to access a key or whatever the hell it is to remove it.” Voodoo gave us a devastated look.

  “Fucking A. Then how did they catch her before she got away?” Phoenix asked as he paced.

  “She had him in a fucking tote bag. You can’t access the stairs from this floor without proper badge access, so she went down to the floor below, got off, then hit the stairs. She was going down when a doctor happened to pass her. He was busy on his tablet and didn’t think much of it until he heard a baby cry and didn’t remember seeing a baby with her.” Voodoo looked calmer, but still close to snapping.

  “Jesus,” I muttered. “Do they know if it was random, or—”

  I didn’t get a chance to finish before Jameson cut me off. “It was specific. The other nurse said the bitch came on shift saying she was a float nurse. They thought she looked familiar as a nurse from the hospital and had a legit badge, so they didn’t think anything of it, and they were swamped. She specifically made a point to offer to take Parker back to the room first.”

  An uneasy feeling settled in my chest. Voodoo’s grandmother paused, and her eyes glazed over. It didn’t last long before her fearful gaze turned my direction. “Angel, where’s your boy?”

  Korrie gasped out a stuttered sob as I pulled out my phone and call Lynda.