Page 24 of Love is Blind

“Stay on site until everything settles. Keep us posted.” Jax gives him instructions before following me and Maverick back to the car.

We head to the next location and within seconds of being in the SUV, Maverick asks what I’ve been thinking. “This doesn’t make sense. What’s Adrian’s game plan?”

“Better question, who does he have working for him that knows of these locations?” Jax asks. Which is also a good question.

“I don’t know, but something doesn’t feel right about all this. Strap up and keep your eyes focused.” The rest of the ride to the second location is quiet. All of us processing what’s going down and trying to anticipate Adrian’s next move.

It takes about ten minutes to get to this location. It’s closer to the edge of the city, but not as far as the last warehouse. This one was more of a meeting spot. When doing deals with out-of-towners, this was the spot we would meet at. It was a neutral ground between the city and highway out of town, with multiple escape routes in case anything went array. Pulling up to this warehouse, we can feel the heat wanting to caress us through the car. The fire department hasn’t made it this far yet. Between last night’s fires at Adrian’s properties and now ours, they must be working overtime and running on fumes.

This warehouse is larger, built on a large dirt lot. The entire building is burning hot as we exit the vehicle and attempt to get closer. We keep our eyes open for any of our men, but after circling the building twice, there is no sign of our men.

Picking up my phone, I dial the man who was supposed to be on shift this morning. It rings a few times before Maverick jerks his head towards the tree line. He nods, pulling his gun from his waistband and making his way over. The sound of a phone going off gets louder as we get closer. Rounding the first tree where the sound is coming from, our guns raised, we see exactly why our men weren’t answering. All three men who were stationed here are dead. Bullet holes riddle their bodies. This was an execution.

“Let’s go. Mav, have men come collect them. We need to move; Adrian has an endgame, and we need to figure out what it is.” My mind is flying through scenario after scenario as I head back to the SUV. The scent of burning metal fills my nose and my rage. We expected retaliation, but we didn’t think he would move so quickly.

Mav makes the call as we all get back into the SUV and head for the last and furthest warehouse. This one is on the outskirts of the city and only accessible by a long dirt road. It takes us about twenty minutes to get here. On the way, Jax checks in with our men, letting us know Wren made it to Doc’s and is seeing him now. They also clarified that only Abby went into the room with her, which is good because I’m sure Jax would scoop out a few eyeballs if anyone saw Wren naked but us.

Pulling up to the last warehouse, I slow our approach. I expected to see flames burning bright, more of our men dead with bullet holes, and our warehouse in shambles, but I don’t see any of that. This building is untouched, but none of our men are in sight. Something from the corner of my eye catches my attention in the tree line a second before I hear the shot.

“Ambush!” I shout as I slam my foot on the gas. We shoot forward as bullets start to ting off the SUV, but don’t get very far as at least two tires get shot out. Most of our vehicles are bulletproof, but they can only withstand so much until the metal gives. “Fuck. They are surrounding us.”

“It’s not going to hold!” Jax shouts from the back, currently crouched down like the rest of us. “We need to move.”

“Wait for the reload.” Mav calls.

I watch as Jax pops his head up a few times. “I’m counting seven, maybe eight men. They are slowly creeping in, so our best chance is going to be to head for the tree line over there.” He points to the west. “There are two men positioned there. I’ll take our tails.” He reaches underneath his seat and tosses extra magazines to us. We all pull out our weapons before glancing around.

“We better all make it, or Wren is gonna be pissed.” Mav says with a chuckle before switching gears and focusing.

“On three.” I wait for the rain of shots to pause before giving my brothers a nod. “One.” Deep breath. “Two.” I picture Wren. “Three. Move!” Doors get thrown open in all directions as Mav makes his way around the front. We all move as one, a solid triangle, our back to each other as we return fire. I spot the two guys Jax mentioned and take them out quickly. I have no idea if Mav or Jax have hit any targets, but we don’t stop until we hit the tree line.

The moment we take cover, we can hear tires on the gravel road leading to our position. Peeking around the tree, I spot additional men climbing out of a blacked-out Range Rover, but it’s not our men. “Fuck, four more men just pulled up.”

“We need to split up. Take them out one by one. This is our territory; we know it better.” Jax is right. Checking our ammo, we make a plan to split and move around the property. The fire fight has paused, with each side weighing our options on how to move forward.

“Ready?” I ask, getting in position to move. We barely nod to each other in agreement when there is a huge explosion. The blast wave sends heat and metal flying right at us as we are thrown back. My ears ring as I get my bearings while trying to focus on where Jax and Mav landed. Suddenly, a searing pain shoots through my shoulder as a bullet hits me. I’m pulled to the ground as Jax returns fire and Mav slaps me across the face.

“Get it together, Xander. We have to move. Now!” It takes my brain a second to register the fire fight has started again. The pain in my shoulder fades as I get my head back into the game. I stumble to my feet as we take off, using the trees as cover as we return fire. The warehouse is now up in flames but that’s the least of my worries as I spot men dressed in all black moving around the lot aiming for us.

Once all three of us are in position, Jax gives the signal. It’s now or never. The only thought I have as I round the tree, covering me from sight is I need to get to Wren. She’s in danger. I can feel it.

That’s when all hell breaks loose.

Chapter nineteen

WREN

“Wren,you’repregnant.”

I hear the words but at the same time I don’t. I’m. Pregnant. I’m having a baby. I have a baby in my stomach. So, all this throwing up lately is morning sickness. I’m pregnant. Who knew three simple words could completely change my life?

I’m still sitting on the exam table, wearing a patient gown, when I feel Ares lean against my legs. I wiggle my toes against his warm body, hoping he somehow grounds me as I spiral.

Did I want kids one day? Of course. I love kids.

Was I ready to have a kid now? NO! Not with Adrian still being a threat and on the loose.

The guys and I haven’t even had that conversation yet. It’s not like we were being safe during sex, but I thought I was still covered by my last birth control shot. What if they get mad? What if none of them even wanted kids? What if, when they find out who the father is, the other two will want nothing to do with me? Oh god, I can’t breathe. I feel like my lungs aren’t working anymore. This can’t be happening; Doc must be wrong. I can’t be pregnant. My hands move to my flat stomach as worry floods my system. I’m pretty sure I’m hyperventilating now as my mind goes down a rabbit hole.

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