Mattie heaved in a breath, unable to calm herself. It felt as if she was in the middle of a nightmare, hovering just above but somehow still in the thick of it. “Where’s Rory? Don’t let him go, Grant. Daddy loves Rory more than me and if he’s hurt, he’ll kill me.”
“I’m here, sister,” Rory said, his voice cracking. “I swear.”
“He just needs a moment,” Grant told her.
“What happened to you?” Ryan asked from behind the crowd of boys.
“Stretch and Val are on the way,” Bishop said from the same direction. “We can’t reach Mortician or Outlaw.”
“What the fuck?” CJ finally stepped into view, his arm around Harley, his jacket on her.
Bishop weaved his way through the crowd and his eyes widened.
“Wally, Jr.,” Grant said for the hundredth time.
“He s-said we h-have something he wants,” Mattie blurted, picking out each of their faces.
Ryan and Devon, standing side-by-side, shocked into silence. Axel taking in everything and glancing between Ryder and Ransom. CJ holding onto Harley, a combination of anger and concern on his face. Rory, his eyes filled with pain and anger, hardly able to meet her gaze. Bishop just seemed incredulous, while Harley stood in silence, her head bowed, much like it had been earlier as she explained herself to Ms. Mendez.
“I don’t know what that is,” Mattie admitted, suddenly exhausted. “I don’t even know where Wallace is.”
“He didn’t mean his sons,” Ryan said in a stricken voice. “He meant his wife. Eliza.”
“He’s gone,” Diesel snarled from behind Mattie.
“We have to get people out here to cut back that overgrowth,” CJ said. “This is the second fucking time one of those motherfuckers have gotten one of our girls. First, Rebel. Now, Mattie.”
“Bishop, call as many brothers as you can,” Diesel instructed. “Tell them to move their asses and bring lawn equipment. Anything available.” He started to say somethingelse, then gritted his teeth and looked at CJ. “Only that spot or anywhere else?”
“Just there for now,” CJ said. “Tell them to hurry, Bishop.”
“Dude, shouldn’t Outlaw give that order?” Bishop said nervously.
“Is Dad here?” Axel demanded. “That motherfucker should answer his fucking phone. He knows we’re all at fucking school. CJ gave the fucking order. That should be enough.”
“CJisn’t a fucking member,” Bishop retorted.
“Dieselis, fuckface,” Axel said. “So either you get those motherfuckers out here or I’m going home and getting my fucking bombs and blowing all of that up.”
Mattie heaved in a breath, blocking out the arguments, staring at Grant to calm herself since his face was so kind.
“Grant, call Aunt Bailey,” CJ said. “I still can’t reach Uncle Mort, Dad, or Mom.”
“I can’t reach my mom either,” Rory announced.
“Are they okay?” Mattie asked, hysteria rising up again. “Mama was supposed to be in court. Shouldn’t she be out for lunch by now?”
“We’ll find out soon,” CJ told her. “Grant, carry Mattie to Diesel’s Mercedes. I’m bringing her and Harley to the club.”
Mattie stumbled back and shook her head. “No! Daddy’s there. Please, please, please. He can’t see me. I’m fine. I promise. I’m fine. I just…take me to Mama’s office. Please. I can wait for her there. Please.”
“Okay, sweetheart,” Grant said, grasping her shoulders. “Okay. We’ll take you to either Aunt Kendall or Bailey.”
“No! Daddy’s office is near Aunt Bailey’s and—”
“We’ll take them to Aunt Kendall,” CJ said in a pained voice.
“I-I have something to do.” Ryan hurried up the bridge with Devon hot on his heels.
