I’m ready to break down but I can’t, I need to be strong, until I see Alex.
Caleb grabs my hand immediately and I guide him towards my classroom, where my phone is. We pass a sobbing Sandra, who clutches her nose with bloodstained fingers and Caleb looks at her, confused but I pull him into the room before he can question what happened to her and I gently command, “Grab yours and Lyra’s things, sweetheart. We’re going to the club.”
He frowns but nods and does as I ask and I quickly bring up Alex’s number, a number I haven’t called myself in a little while, still trying to get my head around everything, and press on it. Putting the phone to my ear but it goes to voicemail and I swallow hard as I hang up and try Ace next but again, no luck before I try Ice.
His number also goes to voicemail, and I realize they may be in church. Ace mentioned yesterday that the old timers will bejoining them today, right after he tried to convince me to stop taking a breather.
Oh god.
I shouldn’t have taken the breather, I-I…
“Mama?” Caleb whispers, getting me out of my panic, and I look his way in shock, my tears falling as he eyes me. “Where is Lyra, Mama?” he asks, and I swallow thickly.
“She's been taken, baby,” I choke and he runs into me, clutching me tightly. I say, “Come on, we have to get to daddy.”
He nods, wipes his cheeks with his arm, and holds his and Lyra's things.
I grab my bag, and we both run out of the classroom and towards the door.
God, I hope he can find her…
***
Ten minutes later, I speed up to the club's gates, the prospect whose name I can’t remember, opening them quickly, seeing I’m not stopping with wide eyes, while Caleb shouts,“Open the gate, open the gate…”
I skid to a stop near the door and hurry out of the car with Caleb, and we both run into the clubhouse, the door slamming open, causing everyone to look our way, just as men spill out of the room Alex said was church and Caleb runs their way.
“Daddy!” Caleb cries, getting his attention, his head shooting up in surprise as our son slams into his body before his eyes come my way with confusion but concern soon etches from him when he doesn’t see our daughter.
“Hol?” he questions with concern.
I choke, "Lyra’s been kidnapped," and the room tenses as my legs give out as reality slams into me.
My daughter is gone.
Chapter 25
Dirty
I walk into the common room with Ace and Tank, the room already full of brothers and old ladies, chatter echoing around us. Happiness radiates as the old ladies gush over the kids, I, however, feel numb.
I told Hol I’d give her a week. Three days in, I can’t breathe and regret giving her space.
I, fuck, I should have listened to the devil.
Don’t get me wrong, I had Lyra all weekend. I’ve been having her every afternoon before Ace drops her and Caleb back off with Hol for the night. But it isn’t enough. I need my woman—preferably in our home with our kids, but instead, they’re staying at fucking Matty’s and the fucker has decided not to help me this time, understanding his cousin’s mindset and I’m ready to blow. I really fucking am.
Fuck, we’re not even three months into this relationship, and I’m a goner for her and fuck if that isn’t a terrifying feeling to have.
“You need to breathe, brother,” Tank murmurs from beside me as we make our way to church, but I just shake my head, my body trembling.
“I should have just thrown her over my goddamn shoulder,” I mutter, and he snorts just as we hear, “Ace, sweetheart?” and my brother tenses.
Fuck.
Mama stands near the bar, wringing her fingers together, her sole focus on my brother, but he shakes his head at her, and she pleads, “It’s been months, Ace, please…”
Again, he ignores her and walks past without looking her way, and I sigh and squeeze Mama’s hand, following him while trying to ignore tears shining in her eyes.
