If it were up to Bear, we’d point our guns first and ask questions later. He’s been betrayed in the past, and shit like this gets him riled up fast.
Smoke’s gritty laugh echoes beside me. “I don’t mind.”
No, the crazy fucker looked forward to shit like this.
“Chill the fuck out, Smoke. Don’t need your ass gettin’ antsy too.”
It’s mildly humorous, but for Storm’s sake, I stay quiet.
“What’s the plan?” Bear asks.
“We stick around a little longer. If Hangman doesn’t arrive in the next half hour, we leave. I’ll be following up with him.”
If I were Hangman, I would be rushing to make an apology. Pissing off the president of the Summit Hill Vipers isn’t a smart move, especially because of the club’s history. He should contact Storm and make this right ASAP.
When another twenty minutes pass, Storm cracks his neck. “Fuck it. I’m done waiting.”
Smoke slaps him on the back. “Took you long enough.”
We stride toward the exit, each of us ready to get the hell out of this mall. But when I see Noelle rushing toward the doors, peering outside with a frantic expression, I know something is wrong. Unease twists my gut. I don’t see Ainsley.
The woman I plan to stalk until she agrees to go out with me nearly collides with us as she spins around, clearly distraught.
“Noelle?”
“Torque.” Tears fill her eyes quicker than she can blink them back. I’m immediately on edge. “It’s Ainsley. She’s gone.”
“Shit,” Smoke curses, saying what we all think.
This isn’t good. It’s a distraction we don’t need, but it can’t be helped. None of us is willing to leave with a little girl lost in the mall. I don’t have to guess. We’re a brotherhood. Our morals, though questionable at times, guide us. Right now, we’re going to help Noelle.
I turn to Storm, knowing he’ll agree before I even ask. “Pres?”
“Go,” he orders Storm and Bear. He doesn’t hesitate. “Find the little girl. Torque, stay with Noelle.”
I nod and reach for Noelle’s hand as my club brothers separate, each of them taking a different direction without having to coordinate their plan. It’s deeply entrenched inside us. We move as one when there’s a crisis. My fingers wrap around hers as I try to offer comfort. “Come on, baby. I got you.” The endearment rolls off my tongue easily. I’m not fazed by it.
“Torque.”
She’s freaking out. I can see it.
“Hey, look at me.” She does, and her eyes are a bit crazed. “We’re going to find her. I promise.”
“Okay.” She glances at the women’s restroom.
“Go. I’ll check the men’s. Just in case.”
Noelle gives a stiff nod and rushes inside as I take the left. It’s busy, but there are no kids inside. As soon as I walk back out, I spot the family restroom and head into that one—no luck there either.
“Torque!”
I run back out as I hear my name and find Noelle. She swipes tears from her cheeks. Her chin quivers, and I know she’s going to places in her head that will only lead to madness.
“We’re not giving up.”
“I know. I’m not.” She sniffles, and we leave the hall, nearly running as we dash around people in line to eat. As we hit the main walkway on the upper floor, I hear a screech. It sounds like a child.
“Ainsley!” Noelle cries, and I follow her, ready to protect or defend at a moment’s notice.
