Page 139 of 12 Months of Mayhem

“They look fine,” Tinsley assures me quickly. “But...there’s a woman with them. Blonde, I don’t recognize her.”

My blood runs cold. “Maya, call Cheyenne and Rex. Tell them to get to the shop now,” I order. Maya nods, her fingers already flying over her phone’s screen.

As she makes the calls, I struggle to my feet, ignoring the protests of my body. The world tilts and sways around me. But I push through it all, my mind laser-focused on one thing – getting to my children.

“Remy, you can’t—” Maya starts, but I cut her off with a glare.

“Don’t you dare tell me what I can’t do.”

I take a stumbling step forward, and Harlow and Maya exchange a worried glance before flanking me on either side. Their strong arms support me as we begin to make our way through the throng of revelers.

The journey to Papa Midnight Customs is a blur. The world spins around me as we push through the crowd, my sisters’ arms the only things keeping me upright.

We turn the corner onto Decatur Street, and I catch sight of the familiar neon sign of Papa Midnight Customs. My heart leaps into my throat. So close. My babies are so close.

Another contraction rips through me. I bite back a scream, tasting blood as I bite my lip. I ignore the pain and keep pushing forward. Nothing will stop me from getting to my children.

As we approach the shop, I see Tinsley standing outside, her usually perfectly styled hair disheveled. She rushes to meet us, her high heels clicking on the pavement.

“Remy, thank God,” she says, reaching for me. “Rex just got here. He’s inside with the kids and...and the woman.”

I nod, unable to speak through the pain. We stumble towards the open door of the shop.

The bell above the door jingles, the familiar smell of motor oil and leather hitting me like a wave. But I barely notice it. My eyes are locked on the scene before me, my heart pounding so hard I can feel it in my throat. Tinsley follows us inside, shifting to stand next to Cheyenne.

There, in the middle of the shop, stands Meredith Crane. Birdie’s mother.

Her bleach blonde hair is a mess, and her blue eyes are wild, desperate. She’s gripping Beaux and Birdie’s wrists so tightly I can see their little hands turning red. My babies. My precious babies. Beaux’s dark curls are disheveled, his blue eyes red rimmed from crying. Birdie is trembling, her bottom lip quivering as she tries not to cry.

Rex towers over Meredith, barely containing his fury. His fists are clenched at his sides, his whole body rigid. I can see the veins in his neck pulsing as he speaks.

“Let them go, Meredith. Now.”

Meredith’s laugh is high and brittle, like shattered glass. “Do what I asked, and you can have them back.”

I can’t hold back anymore. “Get your fucking hands off my kids, you psychotic bitch!” I yell, lurching forward.

Meredith’s head snaps towards me. Her eyes widen as she takes in my swollen belly and the way I’m leaning on Maya and Harlow for support. A cruel smile twists her lips.

“Well, well,” Meredith sneers, her grip on the children tightening. “If it isn’t the pregnant queen herself. How convenient for you to show up now.”

I take another stumbling step forward, ignoring the pain radiating through my body. “Let them go,” I order. “Or I swear to God, Meredith, I’ll—”

“You’ll what?” she snaps, her eyes wild. “Look at you. You can barely stand. Face it, bitch. You’re not in control here. I am.”

Rex moves closer. “This is your last warning, Meredith. Let. Them. Go.”

Meredith’s grip on the kids tightens, making Birdie whimper. The sound cuts through me like a knife.

“Not until I get what I want,” Meredith hisses. “This could have all been avoided if you’d have cooperated earlier. This is on you, Rex.”

The realization hits me like a freight train, stealing the breath from my lungs. The call Rex got earlier. The one that sent him rushing off. It wasn’t about the clubhouse at all. It was Meredith.

Rage boils up inside me, hot and vicious, threatening to spill over. I want to scream, to lunge at her and claw that smug look off her face. But I force it down, swallowing the bitter taste of betrayal. Now isn’t the time, not with my babies still in her grasp.

I lock eyes with Rex, and I can see the guilt and shame written plainly across his face. He knows I’ve figured it out. His jaw clenches, a muscle ticking in his cheek. But I push that aside, too. We’ll deal with that later. Right now, all that matters is getting Beaux and Birdie away from her. He and I can fight later.

I take a deep breath, trying to center myself. “Okay, Meredith,” I say, forcing my voice to remain calm. “What is it you want? Money? Is that it?”

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