Page 103 of Hendrix

Please, Jesus, not Anna.

Diablo leaned forward from the back seat. “What is it?” he barked.

Colt heaved in an audible breath as if trying to brace himself.“Prez. Blade told me to call. Get home now. We gotta big problem. Anna’s disappeared.”He pulled in another breath before murmuring,“We think somebody snatched her.”

CHAPTER TWENTY

ANNA

Isat in the ballroom by the window with Carina beside me and Gigi between us, cuddled in, asleep.

Giselle was distraught. She kept crying that she should’ve taken better care of Addison and not let her wander off. The poor girl was traumatized, although it wasn’t her fault Addie was missing.

It was mine.

The ache ripping through my body grasped so tightly it felt like my insides were imploding. I could hardly breathe. My mind kept conjuring images of Addie crying and calling for Fender and her brothers.

Addie was so tiny. How would she survive if she’d been hurt? How would her little body ever heal if someone had done something awful to her? How would she ever get over it? I didn’t know who Ace was, and nobody seemed to be able to give me any answers. The only brothers left in the clubhouse who knew him were Hendrix’s dad, Will, and Iceman, and they were holed up with Blade down the basement, operating something called Hawk. I didn’t want to disturb them or take them away from what they were doing when they were trying to help Hendrix and Addie.

The thought of Hendrix risking himself because of something I’d done made my heart feel like it had been sliced in two, and my skin felt almost too tight for my body, like everything inside was bursting and about to explode.

I jumped slightly as a hand gripped mine.

“She’ll be okay, Anna,” Carina assured me in her soft voice. “They’ll bring her back.”

My eyes drifted over the late afternoon sky. “It’s all my fault,” I said flatly. “If anything’s happened to Addison, I’ll never forgive myself.”

“Kids are resilient,” she argued gently. “Addie’s already faced adversity and survived. She’ll do it again.”

My mouth twisted. “She’s just a baby. She shouldn’t have to survive adversity. She should be carefree and happy. The only thing Addie should be worrying about is what toy to play with or what dress to wear.”

“Life isn’t like that,” Carina protested. “Bad stuff happens all the time, and sometimes to kids. All we can do is be there for her when Hendrix brings her home because, believe me, Anna, he will. I’ve been around these men for years, and I’ve seen them in action. They’re resourceful, smart, and so efficient that sometimes it scares me. If anything ever happened to Gigi, there’s nobody else I’d want in my corner. They’ll bring her home.”

Tears sprang to my eyes. “I’m sorry I let them go outside unsupervised.”

“Anna, I trust you with Gigi, and I guarantee Fender will still trust you with Addie. The fact you’re so cut up about it just shows how much you care.” She smiled kindly. “Why don’t you go for a soak in the bathtub or try to get a nap? There’s nothing you can do here, and you’re only upsetting yourself.”

“Thanks, Carrie, but there’s no way I could sleep,” I told her. “I’d go out for a walk, but we’re on lockdown.”

“As long as you stay on the property, you’ll be okay,” she reminded me. “Take a brother with you.”

“I’ll go,” Tweety offered from the bar where he was stocking the fridge. “Prez would kill me if I let you go out alone.”

“Are you sure you’re not too busy?” I asked the prospect.

He walked out from behind the bar, wiping his hands with a cloth. “I’m done here. You’re good.”

A walk and some fresh air would help me clear the cobwebs. Carina had work to do, especially since the men would need to be fed and watered while they searched for Addie. I was just a hindrance, and all sitting here did was allow the dark thoughts in.

Picking up my cell from the table, I placed it inside my purse and gently shifted so as not to wake Gigi as I slowly got to my feet. My back was aching from a lack of movement. Getting out for twenty minutes would definitely do me good.

“I’ve got my phone,” I told her.

“I’ll call you as soon as I hear something,” she promised, gently shaking Gigi awake. “Don’t go far. Addie will want to see you when the boys bring her home to us.” She gave my arm a squeeze, helped a sleepy Gigi from the chair, and guided her into the kitchen.

“Come on, we’ll go get an SUV,” Tweety suggested.

“What for?” I asked. “We can walk. I did it before with no problems.”

---