Page 64 of Baja
When Caroline grabs my hand, her face says she senses it too. If Nash were to stop somewhere on his way back to the clubhouse, he would have called or at least texted. With everything going on, he wouldn’t want me to worry especially when I voiced my concerns this morning.
I break away from Caroline and Jenson and seek out Salem, but he’s nowhere in sight. Neither are Harlem and Mystic. I spot Sage huddled in the corner of the room with Juniper, Sukie, and Ophelia and make a beeline toward them. Sage is the first to lock eyes with mine.
“What do you know?” I ask when reaching the group.
Sage’s demeanor shifts. “Alice,” she says, her tone filled with concern. Salem appears with Mystic at his back, and my attention shifts to them.
Salem grinds his jaw, his eyes narrowing as he glances at Caroline and Jenson, moving in behind me.
“Son.” Jenson slips one arm around his wife, his grip on my shoulder firm but strained.
Salem’s nostrils flare while a storm brews behind his calm facade. “Nash and Lily ran into trouble.”
That simple phrase sends bile surging up my throat, and the world around me tilts. Sukie rushes to my side. Her presence anchors me as my knees threaten to buckle. I look at Caroline and her face drains of color.
“Where is my son, S-Salem?” Her voice cracks with emotion.
“Laredo and Juneau are out lookin’ for some answers.” Salem’s tone is edged with urgency.
The tension in the air is palpable, tightening its grip on all of us as we stand around, waiting.
The heavy doors of the clubhouse slam open, rattling on their hinges as Juneau and Laredo storm inside.
“Got somethin’ for me?” Salem demands, his voice sharp and commanding as he fixes his gaze on the duo, anticipating their report.
“Tread marks and some bullet casings about half a mile from here,” Laredo says, his voice clipped with concern, eyes scanning the room.
Like a restless caged animal, Juneau paces back and forth while Mystic glances at his mother, silently conveying a message that sparks immediate understanding. Nodding, Ophelia swiftly gathers Lorelei and Lucy, and together, they slip away down the dimly lit hallway.
All eyes gravitate back to Salem. “Laredo,” he commands, his voice steady and authoritative. “Get on the phone. Reach out to our contact at Salem PD. We need to know if anyone reported any suspicious activity in our vicinity tonight or any incidents that could be linked to our current situation.” Hepauses momentarily before continuing, “And while you’re at it, tap into the city surveillance cameras within a five-mile radius of the hospital. Focus on the timestamps from when Baja and Lily left. If they had a tail, I want to know.”
Harlem’s brows furrow with concern. “You think this is connected to the Phantom Riders?” he inquires, the tension thick in his tone.
Salem nods, his expression hardening. “It reeks of them.” His eyes flash with rage. “Harlem, Mystic,” he commands, shifting his focus. “I need you both to gear up and be ready to roll out.”
As the room buzzes with urgency, Salem’s attention shifts to Juneau, who stands vigilant at the edge of the group. “I want you and Laredo at the clubhouse. Anything happens, call me first,” he specifies.
“You got it, brother,” Juneau replies.
Jenson approaches Salem, placing a hand on Salem’s shoulder. “Son, I apologize for Jax bringing chaos to the club. I realize I have no right to ask you to take on the burden of his mistakes, but I am compelled to ask you…” He takes a huge intake of breath. “Please find my son and Lily and bring them home.”
Salem grips Jenson’s shoulder tightly. “Jax is a grown fuckin’ man who has to face the consequences of his choices. Baja, however, is my brother, a bond forged through loyalty and brotherhood. I would lay down my life for any of my men without hesitation. My sole mission right now is to bring Baja and Lily home safely and to make damn sure those responsible pay.” His eyes flare with determination as he speaks about his commitment to protecting those he loves.
As I try to hold back tears, my eyes burn as Salem turns his attention to me. “I can’t lose him,” I whisper.
“You won’t,” Salem declares. “You have my word, Alice.”
The clubhouse doors swing wide with a thunderous crash. Instantly, the air intensifies as the men snap into action, their weapons drawn and ready.
“Jesus fuckin’ Christ.” Juneau rushes to Lily’s side. He scoops her into his arms and carries her over to the sofa. The dress she’s wearing rides up, revealing her bloody knees and her palms are torn and bleeding. Juneau kneels on the floor beside her and then turns to Laredo. “Grab my first aid kit, brother.”
“On it.” Laredo nods with determination and swiftly makes his way down the dimly lit hallway, his footsteps echoing against the floor. A few moments later, he reappears, a small bundle of supplies tucked under one arm. Juneau eagerly opens the plastic container with a practiced flick, revealing a neatly stacked roll of sterile gauze. Juneau gently places the gauze over her injured knee, applying firm but careful pressure. She bites her lip, fighting through the pain, as he works quickly yet methodically.
“Lily, where is Baja?” Salem asks.
Lily releases a shuttered breath. “I don’t know.” Tears trail down her face. “The SUV rammed into us from behind. After that, they got up right beside us and rammed us again.” Lily shakes as she recounts the events. “I was so scared.”
“Then what happened?” Juneau urges her to continue, knowing time is not on our side.
