Page 56 of Fox and Nitro
Jasmine
I’ve heard about Church, but never in a million years did I ever think I’d find myself sitting here alongside the rest of the MC. Mama Debs and Sage have all the kids, including the two little dolls Fox and Zane pulled out of that fucking house. They told me some of what happened, wanting a kind ear to unburden to and for someone, anyone to tell them that what happened wasn’t their fault. It was the fault of the sadistic bastard that laid his hands on their mother.
When he came to the school looking for his wife, my first thought went to the woman I met at the medical center. I was so relieved when he said she was gone. I hoped that she managed to get her and her little girl to safety. Imagine my surprise whenI came face to face with them here at the clubhouse. Darting my eyes across the table, my eyes land on Joy, sitting stiffly next to Switch. Her little girl is with Mama Debs, too. It didn’t go unnoticed how alike the kids look, with the three little girls all commenting on how they all have the same dark auburn curls.
I jump when Marx bangs his fist against the wall, only to have two large hands land on my thighs. One on each side. I lay my hands over theirs and then give them a little squeeze. I need to comfort them as much as they want to comfort me. The look on both of their faces when they walked out of that house almost brought me to my knees. Fox and Nitro are good men, and they’re mine. To have, to comfort, to love.
“Anyone know where this Hitchens fucker is?” Marx growls, and I fight the urge to shrink back.
The large men around the table all have murderous looks on their faces, and if I didn’t know them I’d be shitting myself. But I do know them and their women, and it’s their women who are keeping them calm. Lovely has her hand resting on Marx’s forearm, Wire has Remy in his lap, nose in her neck. Vi is standing behind Jules, arms wrapped around his shoulders as his hand rests on her clasped ones. Mira is on Tank’s lap, Chewy on Rhodie’s and Nat on Savage’s. Gus is standing with Ana in his arms, Judge has his arm slung over Kaia and Blanche has Tav’s hand on her arm, as if to keep her from jumping up and kicking asses.
“He’s gone to ground,” Nitro says, running a hand down his face.
“He clearly knows he’s fucked up.” Fox adds.
Clearing my throat, I figure I better let them all know what the girls told me. “Addy and Bree, the twins, they said that he was going to give them to some bad men. Their mother wasn’t having it and he, well,” I swallow, “he tortured her for days. Thegirls were surprised to find out today is Friday. Said he stopped by Tuesday after school and their mother and he fought.”
Curses go around the table and Nitro’s jaw clenches so hard I’m afraid he’s going to crack a tooth. Joy sobs and Switch pulls her into his lap, coaching her on taking some deep breaths.
“So he’s in the wind and we have no idea where he could be going?” Marx’s hard gaze moves around the table.
“Um, hi, I’m Joy. Travis is my husband. Or at least I thought he was.” Joy says in a shaking voice addressing everyone. Even though it’s clear she has no self esteem and is struggling with everything that is happening, she has her chin lifted, looking everyone in the eye. “He, ah, he doesn’t have any family. The only friends he has are Gene Ryan and Buck Norton. If anyone would know where he is, it’ll be those two.” She takes a deep breath. “I’ve been married to him for three years, in all that time he has never not gotten what he wanted.”
“He wants those little girls,” Tank growls.
“He’ll be coming for them,” Wire says, looking up over Remy’s shoulder. “Tell them, Rem.”
Remy’s eyes raise from her computer screen. “I found the girls pictures online. He was looking for the highest bidders for them. The person who won them just so happens to own a company with Matthew Thompson.”
“Who?” Rider asks.
“That fucking CO, the one having an affair with the PD receptionist -”
“Not Barb-” Fox quickly adds.
“-The one who most likely has access to military grade shit,” Savage spits.
“Not just access. The company he owns with Richard McDonald, the guy who won the auction, they sell military grade equipment on the black market. We had to trawl through shell companies to find these guys,” Remy answers.
“So, Hitchens looks likely to have cut out the cartel middle man -”
“And is working directly with the supplier,” Pops growls, fists clenched.
Marx sighs. “These guys are powerful. Which means Hitchens can’t fall through on this trade. He needs those girls.”
“We need to get them out of town. Same plan we had for Joy and her little girl,” Rhodie says, looking around the table.
“I’ll make the call to Dex. Our cover is that it’s a family run. Brothers with Ol Ladies will ride on their sleds. The kids will be divided up in the SUVs with the women. Blanche-” Marx’s eyes search for Tav’s woman. “When it’s time I want you driving the SUV with Mama Debs and the Hitchens twins.” He holds her gaze until she dips her chin.
Blanche is a badass. In fact, all the women are badass in their own way. Strong. Fierce. If I’m going to be all in with my men, then I need to be a little more like them. Sure, I faced down that bad man today in the school lot, but in the end those special kids of mine probably saved me. I’m so proud of them, but at the same time a little embarrassed that a kid in a motorized wheelchair is what got Hitchens to let go of me.
“Let’s lay low for the night, we’ll head out early tomorrow morning. Judge, get us there safely.” Judge nods at Marx. As Road Captain it’s his job to lay out the route.
“Church dismissed!” Marx thumps on the wall again and we all file out, everyone subdued.
“Come on baby, let’s get you home to rest.” Fox leads me by the hand, bypassing all the vehicles in the lot, he and Nitro leading me down the path and into their trailer.
“I thought you said home?” I sass, trying to hide my smile that I get to sleep safe in their arms tonight and not at home worrying about that man finding me.
