Mack nods in agreement. “Do you want to go home?” he asks Nanny.
“No. I want to stay busy. She called. She’s alive.” She turns in her husband’s arms to face me. “Did you get anything from all that?”
I want to fix her broken heart so badly, but I have to be honest with her. “I was an ER medical nurse. I’m not fully trained to diagnose mental and emotional issues. After working with as many therapists and physiatrists as I have, I’d say she’s obviously hurt beyond what she can mentally handle. She’s lost and doesn’t know where she belongs. She’s smart. She’s staying just ahead of Nick and the security team.”
“How do we help her?” Nanny asks.
“I’m not sure you can. You’re all too close to the situation. She’ll have to figure most of it out for herself. The people who do help her probably won’t be family members. Maybe Nick can help her when he catches up with her.”
“She’ll come home one day, right?” Nany holds her breath, waiting for hope.
Once again, I have to be honest. “I don’t know. I can’t make you that promise, but most wayward children who were raised in a loving home eventually return.”
Jack comes back with his head down. “Nick couldn’t get a location, but they believe they’re close to catching up with her.”
“Okay.” Mack looks at each of us. “Let’s look at this as a good thing. She called. We know she’s not hurt. Nick won’t give up until he finds her. For now, we go back to club business.”
Everyone goes back to their tasks, preparing the food. Nana, Maci, and Ember carry the filled trays out to the Den. Hearingfrom Harley was a good thing. However, not having her back sucked the happiness out of the night.
Darin cups my cheek in his hand, lifting my face. “You okay?” I nod. He leans down and whispers, “See you later.”
“Are you taking me home with you?” I tease.
“Absolutely.” His lips press against mine for a quick kiss before he follows Mack out of the room.
Chapter 26
Worley
My phone vibrating on the nightstand might as well be an alarm clock. I forgot to turn the ringer back on before I fell asleep. With one eye half open, I glance at the clock. No green numbers shine in the dark. A flash of lightning lights up the room. Great. Another thunderstorm and the power’s out again. That’s twice this week. At least the first one was during the afternoon.
I slide up with my back against the headboard and reach for my phone. It’s four in the morning. I have missed calls from Coty, Ross, and Mack. Not a good combination in the middle of the night, or ever. I have several text messages, too.
The wind and rain get louder, drawing my attention back to the window. Lightning flashes again. Thunder rumbles in the distance. The storm is getting closer, but not on top of us yet. I open Mack's text first.
Mack: Tornado warning. Power’s out again.
Mack: Coty and Ross have the Den.
Mack: Worley, you alive over there?
I better reply before he’s pounding on my door.
Me: All good here.
I check the others.
Ross: Power’s out. Gate’s shut. If anyone needs in or out, we’ll have to push it open.
Well, that’s not a problem. No one is going out in weather like this, especially with a tornado warning involved. In fact, a new weather alert pops up. The worst of the storm is still about an hour away. A second line is coming around eight. At least we’ll have daylight for that one. I hate severe storms at night. I like to see what’s coming.
Coty: Power’s out.
Me: Yeah. I know.
Coty: Backup generators are running the coolers, a few appliances in each building, and most of the important systems.
Me: What do you mean by most?
