“Yeah. But I did enough.” He shoves the bat onto the floor. “I still fucked up their operation. It’ll send the message.”
We skid along the gravel drive and take off down the road. Iron Jack roars beside us and motions that he’s going ahead.
My adrenaline drops as we put more distance between us and the house. An ad hoc operation like this has lots of risks, although some of the military missions I’d been on didn’t have much more planning.
But I’d be back at the club shortly. And Marietta would be there. The entire club would celebrate.
I glance at the back seat. Fucking Lucifer’s Kin. We consider this a rescue, but they’ll assume we took their women.
They might not run. They might retaliate.
I need to get that virgin mouse out of their crosshairs.
CHAPTER 27
MARIETTA
When Adam texts me that the raid party is returning, I finally unclench my hands for the first time since dinner.
The kids haven’t moved from the television. I head to the living room, where Betz and Celia and the other Wild Hair are waiting.
Betz looks up. “They’re headed back. With two women.”
Women? Adam hadn’t mentioned that.
“What women?”
She shrugs. “The text from Fancy just says women.”
Did Merrick meet someone to bring back to the club?
No, no. I can’t think like that.
“The kids are watching TV. Should I get them to bed?” I’m going to miss the men’s return if I’m stuck in their bedroom.
But Too Fast Freddy stands. “They’re scared of me. I’ll make them hit the sack. We don’t need them seeing whatever Iron Jack’s going to drag in from a meth house.”
Celia gazes up after him. “He’s gonna be a great dad someday.”
Betz frowns. “You knocked up?”
Celia twirls a white-blonde curl. “Thinking about it.”
“Great. That’s all we need. More brats.” Betz moves to the window and peers through the blinds.
Celia’s face falls to a pout.
“I think it’s great you want kids,” I tell her. I’m relieved Freddy went to help with the children. I force myself not to think about the women about to come in. “Has anyone heard how Carol’s doing?”
Betz turns from the window. “They checked in at the hospital. Going to be a long night.”
“Should we go up there?” I ask.
“Yeah, once the kid is out. Otherwise, it’s a lot of caterwauling.” Betz peers out again. “They’re walking up.” She glances at my feet. “What the hell are you wearing?”
I glance down. They are literal bunny slippers, with pink ears sticking out and black noses with whiskers. On the back are white pom-poms.
I didn’t think through what I would look like when Merrick got back. Besides the silly slippers, my hair is tied in a long, limp ponytail. In my gray sweats, I look like—well, a mouse. A tall, underfed mouse. With bunny feet.
