“Who is this?”
The line crackles as if she’s covering the speaker.
“Marissa, from the Steel Delinquents,” she whispers, her voice cracks, full of emotion.
That’s when it registers that it’s the young girl I handed my number to.
I stand up and feel a tightening again. This time, it goes right into my back.
“Where are you?” I ask, rubbing my bump.
The men all file out of church, and as Drifter walks past me, I grab his arm. He looks at me with concern etched across his features when I wince again.
“You okay?” he mouths, seeing the phone held to my ear.
“I don’t know. I ran out, and I’m hiding behind some skips. I didn’t know who else to call. They’re out searching for me,” she rushes out, and I detect the hysteria climbing in her voice.
“Give me a minute, Marissa.” I pull Drifter to one side. “I need your help. I need to get to her,” I say, covering the speaker with my hand.
He shakes his head, confused. “Who?”
“It’s a young girl at the Steel Delinquents––” Before I’ve even finished, he’s shaking his head and walking away.
I grab hold of his arm and another wave of pain has me gripping his arm tightly as I let out a whimper. “What’s wrong?”
“It’s nothing, just Braxton Hicks or something.”
He takes hold of my arm, placing his other around my shoulder and guiding me to a chair.
“Sit down,” he orders.
“She needs help, Drifter. They’re holding her against her will.”
“You need to stop stressing about others and look after yourself. It’s not good for the baby.”
“Please,” I beg. “I promised I’d help her. I’ll never forgive myself if something happens.”
“Sit down,” he orders again, holding the back of the chair.
“If you’re not going to help her, I will,” I snap, pushing back on him slightly.
“I’ll sort it, but for fuck’s sake, Hell, you need to look after yourself. That baby needs you to relax, so please sit down.”
I lower myself into the seat. “Where are you?” I ask, going back to the call.
“I have no idea,” she whispers.
“Send me your location pin. We’ve got some men on the way.”
She disconnects the call, and a few moments later, there’s a text with a location pin on the map.
Drifter looks over my shoulder and nods before making his way across the lounge and sending Slayer and Joker to go to her location.
He comes back across. “Sorted. Now, let’s get you back upstairs to rest,” he says, grabbing hold of my hand and helping me to my feet.
Once upstairs, he pulls the duvet back and helps me climb into bed. He sits on the edge, looking at me with eyes full of regret.
“Hell—”
