Page 7 of Living Without

More yelling started. A few thumps, like some things were being thrown and then muffled talking. They weren’t quiet, yet with the hall and all doors closed, I couldn’t hear what was being said.

I wanted to be out there. I needed all the information so I could hunt for Nary.

So they couldn’t touch her.

Taint her mind.

“Fuck,” I bit out low.

Be strong, angel. I’m coming.

Christ, it was killing me being locked up, knowing she was in the hands of a fucked-up man. I needed my head. I needed to show them Isort ofhad my head. Though, it was too soon to say I’d keep it once I got my hands on a few people. Jerimiah for one.

My ears pricked up at the sound of the hall door being whacked open and hitting the wall. Loud pounding footsteps approached the room. They’d better be there to let me the hell out.

I took a few steps away from the door and waited.

The door was unlocked and flung open. In it stood Stoke, the man I looked up to the most.

Clenching my jaw, I stood tall as he strode into the room, tagged the front of my tee, and pulled me close so our faces near touched. Then he growled out the words, “They’ve taken her. What are we gonna do?”

“Find her.”

“They touched her. What are we gonna do?”

“Make them pay.”

“They hurt her.Whatare we gonna do?”

“Kill them.”

“Fuck yes,” he hissed. “Now get the fuck out there with your head together. We find my daughter and we do it together. You hear me?”

“Yes,” I snarled. Adrenaline pumped hard over and over in my veins. He studied my face, probably to make certain I had my head together. Then he nodded once, let go of my tee, and stalked from the room, while I followed.

In the main room, he walked right up to Nary’s mum, who sat on the couch surrounded by Low, Josie, and Mrs Cliff. They weren’t the only ones around. Talon, Griz, and Killer were there from the Ballarat charter. Josh, Nary’s brother, was with Handle, as he talked quietly to the kid. A lot of brothers from our charter weren’t there, and I knew why; they were already out hunting.

Stoke bent low, taking the back of his woman’s head in his hand. He pulled her gently forward. Their eyes met. Stoke’s jaw clenched and he clipped out, “My hands are gonna get dirty, love.”

Her hand reached up and curled around the side of his neck. “Do what you have to do to get her back.”

He touched her lips with his once, stood tall, and turned to the room. “Let’s roll.” He started for the door outside. I was close behind when he said to me over his shoulder, “You’re with me. I’ll fill you in on the way to some places about what’s been going on while you… caught your breath.”

I didn’t reply. He’d known I’d lost it when I’d found out she’d been taken. Everyone knew I fuckin’ loved her. Only no one knew why I fought that love and kept her far from me. And if I had my way, it’d stay that way forever.

Until the moment I’d discovered she was taken. Things would change becausewhenwe got her back, she wasn’t leaving my side.

So I’d have to tell her everything.

Would she hate me in the end?

Possibly.

But it was a risk I had to take.

Chapter Three

NARY

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