Page 43 of Heart of a Hero

My mom’s name flashed on my screen, and my heart raced with a sense of foreboding.

“Hey, Mom.” My voice was rough with sleep.

“Dawson…” Her voice trembled, each word laced with panic. “I’ve been trying to reach Nora. When she didn’t answer, I came over to make sure she was all right. I saw the news and thought you might be at the fire.”

“Is Nora all right?” I asked, sitting up, becoming more alert.

“When I got here, Akira was with Taylor. Honey… Nora never came home. She’s gone.”

The world tilted beneath me as the words sank in, cold dread seizing my chest. Nora. My Nora. She had to be in the hands of that manipulative, volatile bastard, Rex. I swung my legs over the side of the bed, already reaching for my pants with shaking hands.

“What happened? Where’s Taylor now?” I demanded, my voice tight with barely controlled rage and fear.

“She’s with me at the compound, but she’s inconsolable. Dawson, you have to find Nora.”

A desperate need to act filled me, to save the woman I loved from the monster who had already caused her so much pain. Even though my shift wasn’t over, the captain would have to get over it. With Nora missing, there was no fucking way I’d be able to focus on my job. I’d end up getting one of us killed.

“I’m on it. Stay with Taylor, keep her safe.” I ended the call, my mind racing as I tugged on my boots. Fear pulsed through my veins, but it was quickly overtaken by a fierce, unyielding determination.

I would find Nora. I would save her from Rex’s clutches, no matter the cost. As I grabbed my keys and headed for the door, I swore to myself that I wouldn’t rest until she was safe in my arms again. The Swift Angels would have my back, and together, we would bring Nora home. Rex had no idea the hell he had just unleashed.

Before I started the engine, I shot off quick messages to my club, as well as the captain. I knew someone would be willing to finish my shift, and if I got my ass chewed later, so be it. Nora was more important than getting written up.

* * *

I burst through the clubhouse doors, my heart pounding against my ribs as I scanned the room for my brothers. Only Jordan and Logan were present, both looking like they’d recently gotten off shift. If they’d read my message, they weren’t reacting. Then again, being calm and levelheaded was part of their jobs. Mine too, when my family wasn’t the one in trouble.

“We’ve got an emergency,” I announced. “Nora’s been taken. We need to find her, now.”

“I think everyone is on shift, or dead asleep,” Logan said. “Except maybe Ben. Today might be his day off.”

“We need to spread out, hit the streets. Check every known hangout, every back alley. Question anyone who might have seen them. We don’t stop until we find her.”

Jesus. Where the hell had she even been when he snatched her? On her way to the apartment? Her work? Hell, what if she’d gone somewhere else without telling anyone? The possibilities were endless.

A chorus of nods and determined grunts met my words as they sprang into action. I grabbed my phone, my fingers flying over the screen as I sent out another group message letting everyone know my woman was missing. Maybe this time, they’d pay the fuck attention. The more people I had searching for her the better.

I climbed onto my bike, the roar of the engine echoing the pounding of my heart. The streets blurred beneath me as I tore through the town, my eyes scanning every face, every shadow. I stopped at seedy bars and run-down apartments, flashing Nora’s picture and mentioning Rex’s name, my voice raw with desperation.

“Have you seen this girl? She’s with a guy named Rex Strayer. It’s urgent.” The words tumbled from my lips, over and over, a litany of hope and fear. Blank stares and shaking heads met my pleas, each dead end twisting the knot in my gut tighter. Although, I had to wonder if some just weren’t speaking because they wanted nothing to do with Rex.

Hours passed, the sun sinking low on the horizon, and still no sign of Nora. I gripped the handlebars of my Harley, my knuckles white.Where are you, baby? Hold on, I’m coming. The thought played on a loop in my mind, a desperate prayer to the universe.

My phone buzzed, a text from Jaxon.No luck on the east side. Heading to the industrial district now.

I swore under my breath, the weight of Nora’s absence like a physical ache in my chest. I should have asked my dad for help. Even though I wasn’t an official Dixie Reaper, Nora would be his daughter-in-law if everything went according to plan, which made her family. Even though my dad was pissed about my choice of career and club, I knew he would have helped me keep an eye on Nora and Taylor. So why hadn’t I asked? Instead, I’d been too worried about what would happen if he took matters into his own hands when it came to dealing with Rex. Now it didn’t matter.

Twenty-twenty hindsight was a bitch!

I won’t give up. I won’t stop searching until I find you, Nora.

The town sprawled out before me, a labyrinth of secrets and shadows, and somewhere within its depths, Nora waited for me. I would tear this place apart, brick by brick, until I held her in my arms again. Rex had no idea the storm that was coming for him, the fury of a man in love, a man with nothing left to lose.

No, not nothing. Nora might be gone, but Taylor wasn’t. She’d need me regardless of what happened. But I’d do everything I could to bring her mom home.

The sun had long since set, the town cloaked in darkness, when my phone buzzed again. I pulled over, my heart hammering in my chest as I saw Jaxon’s name on the screen.Got a lead. Someone spotted Rex’s car near the old Royal Apartments on River Street.

I knew the place. It had been condemned and should have been torn down long ago. Forget the threat of Rex -- that whole place could crumble at any moment. I didn’t hesitate, revving my engine and tearing off into the night. The wind whipped past me, carrying with it a whisper of hope.I’m coming, Nora. Just hold on a little longer.

---