“I’ve already checked. He’s not answering his phone either. Nor are the twins or Zachery.”
I do a double take when he opens a bottle of water. I’m so used to seeing him with his tequila lately, it’s hard to believe he’s switched drinks.
“What? I gotta sober up. We’re ridin’ soon, ain’t we?”
“Yeah, ten minutes. Find your boy.”
Alannah is heading over to the bar as I head for home. I open my arms, and she walks into them.
“It’s a dark morning,” she murmurs against my chest. “The club feels too big with no one here.”
“I know what you mean, darlin’.” I press my lips to the top of her head and let them linger there until I reckon I could kiss her soul.
I’ve spent years trying to leave permanent marks on her soul, but I’ve never felt like I’ve achieved it.
“I don’t ask you for much, but I’m asking you to bring our boy home alive.”
“I’m gonna do all I can, I swear it on my life.”
She tilts her head back and I lean down and claim her mouth. I swore to give her a life where she could have anything she ever needed or wanted. I won’t go back on that now.
“I have loved you every day of our life together, and I’m gonna love you right up to the end, perhaps even after if there is an afterlife waiting for me. Nothing will stop me from getting to our son.”
A tear rolls down her cheek, and I wipe it away for her. “I feel like I’m going to lose my family,” she admits.
“Never. You’re stuck with us for a long, long time. When have we ever not come home to you?”
“I’ll be pissed if anything happens to you.”
“The same goes for you. Keep your eyes open around here. I hate leaving ya, but I gotta go.”
“I know. I don’t trust anyone more than I do you, just come back to me.”
“Always.”
With one last kiss, I hug her and make my way back to the bar. Sparky steps out and hands me two extra guns fully loaded.
Alannah joins us and hugs Sparky. “Look out for yourself, and don’t drink while you’re on the road.”
“You ain’t my old lady, Lana.”
“She isn’t here so I’m the one to remind you, cause you know she would.”
“You’ll look out for her, yeah?”
“Goes without saying I will.”
We head for our bikes, and he tells me, “The little shits ain’t answerin’ their phones and lookin’ around, their bikes are gone.”
My chest heaves with a long sigh. “They fuckin’ left!”
“Don’t stress your heart out, it’s what we would have done back in the day.”
Though it’s true, it doesn’t make me feel any better.
“It’s just me and you, brother. Let’s fuckin’ do this.” He grins.
“Let’s.”
