Page 60 of Biker's Babygirl

“She was, ah, packing a bag.”

“A bag,” I repeat, trying to prompt him to hurry without making him want to stop altogether.

“Yeah, I don’t know exactly what she had in there, but she was packing food. Oranges and stuff.”

My sunken stomach turns into a ball of worry and fear.

“Wait!” Ellie dashes out of the room, but I turn my gaze back to my brother.

“What did you do?” I ask, each word measured.

Shep clears his throat. He probably has only just now realized the deep doo-doo he’s stepped in. But I have to give it to him, he faces me like a man, looks right into my hardened expression and says, “Nothing.”

“Nothing,” I echo woodenly, wanting more than anything to sink my balled fist into his jaw.

“I’m sorry, Duke. She said she didn’t want anyone else to get hurt, and I… I guess I thought she had the right idea.”

Before I can respond, Ellie comes sprinting back into the room. “She didn’t take anything, Duke! She didn’t take any of the clothes we bought… nothing! I think she’s gone for good!”

The desperation in her voice makes my own fear go up a notch, but I struggle not to show it. Someone has to be the calm in the storm just now, and it looks like I’m it.

“I’m… I really am sorry, man,” Shep says.

I can see the regret in his face, but I steel myself from letting him off the hook. But I don’t comfort him, either. There’s no time for angerorforgiveness. If we hurry, hopefully we can get my girl back and there will be time to handle it later.

“Ellie, call and cancel our training today. I know the guys are going to be disappointed but…”

“They’re a good group,” she assures me. “They’ll understand. I’m on it”

I know she’s right. If anyone would understand why this is more important, it’s our group of fellow bikers.

Elvis walks into my field of vision, and I can see from the look on his face that he’s ready for orders.

“Get our gear, and make sure your gun is loaded. We’re going to try and track her, and God knows what we’ll find.”

A sharp nod, and he strides away.

“Duke—”

“We can’t,” I snap, shaking off my brother’s hand. “You want to make this right?”

His expression is solemn as he nods.

“Well, then. You need to be willing to do whatever it takes to help me find her. I have to bring her back safely. Nothing else matters.”

What I don’t say but what I know with a deep, startling certainty is that if we fail, nothing will matter ever again.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Ginny

My head. It feels like it’s splitting open like a log that’s been kissed by an axe. I groan, wanting to sleep, but unable to with the throbbing of my temples. I turn over, twisting the sheets in my agony. I want to go back to sleep, but the pain won’t let me. I open my eyes a crack, groaning as a fresh, intense wave of owie stabs my temples.

It hurts!my mind screams. I swallow, only to realize how dry my mouth is.What’s wrong with me? I feel terrible.

Despite the world’s worst headache, I try to push myself up. I moan with each and every movement, but finally I’m sitting upright, and I crack open my eyes.Where’s Duke? He’ll get me some medicine—he’ll take care of me.

But as soon as my eyes are open enough to take in my surroundings, the battering ram trying to split my head open is the least of my worries. I’m not in Duke’s room—or anywhere near his house, most likely. Though the pale beige walls don’t look much different from the ones in Duke’s bedroom but that’s where the similarities end.

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