Two babies. I was shocked as shit and pleased as hell. But the protective side of me was in overdrive. All I wanted to do was drive her home and keep her under lock and key until the threats from the Rossis were over.
The roar of Pop’s and Gunner’s bikes sounded as they parked alongside us. I’d been cautious in coming to Vegas, bringing man power and weapons. I hoped I wouldn’t need either.
“Ready?” I asked her. She looked a little pale as I reached a hand over to gently cup her face. “Did you eat the rest of that toast?”
I’d had Pop pick her up some buttered toast and a Sprite from a nearby restaurant.
“I did, I’m fine,” she assured me quietly. “Let’s get this over with.”
I couldn’t agree more.
I ushered her into the station, my hand clasped over hers as my pop and Gun flanked us.
Dan Cooper had been a friend of the club’s for years, having helped out on occasion with our legal dealings. When we walked in, Cooper met us at the door, clasping my pop’s hand in greeting. “Good to see you, Black,” he greeted.
“You too, Coop,” my pop replied. “Thanks for helping out our girl,” he added, his gaze soft when he looked at Francesca.
To say my parents were taken with her was an understatement. To say they were excited to be grandparents was something else entirely. My mom had shrieked herself into a crescendo only dogs could hear when we’d told her over the phone this morning.
I couldn’t imagine what she’d do when she learned we were having twins.
“Not a thing.” Cooper shrugged, holding a hand out to Francesca before patting my shoulder. “Good to see you, Mad. Let’s get this sorted.”
Francesca and I followed him back to his desk, leaving Pop and Gun to wait for us at the front.
An hour later, I could tell Francesca was tired. It had been a long day, and having to recount the tale of how she’d lost everything wasn’t something anyone would look forward to. Hell, hearing it infuriated me all over again.
“I think that should do it,” Cooper said, staring down at his notepad. He looked tired and stressed. Sweat beaded on his brow and he’d gained weight since the last time I’d seen him. “I’ll make sure this goes through the proper channels, and I’ve already spoken directly to the insurance adjuster, confirming you aren’t a suspect. I would imagine you should be hearing from them shortly.”
“Thank you,” Francesca breathed in relief. I knew she wanted the payout to put toward the new business, but it was more than that. It was closure.
“Let’s get you home,” I told her, rising from my seat and offering her a hand up.
“Francesca, before you leave, there were a few items in the evidence room recovered from the fire I wanted you to have a look at,” Cooper said. “It should only take a moment.”
I looked at Francesca, gauging whether or not it was worth even the few extra minutes. I wanted her in bed resting as soon as possible.
“Maybe it’s something of my nonna’s,” she murmured, the hope in her eyes making up my mind for me.
We’d talked about it more than once, and I knew that much of what she’d lost in the fire had been more an inconvenience than anything: her clothes, a few books I’d already replaced. But losing all the photos of her parents, her grandparents’ marriage certificate, and her nonna’s ring had cut deep. Which was why I couldn’t argue against seeing what the police may have recovered.
I rose to follow, unwilling to leave her side even for a moment. Cooper looked at me warily but didn’t comment as we walked through a corridor and down a short flight of stairs. “Sorry, Mad, only Francesca is cleared—you’ll need to wait here,” he informed me when we reached an unmarked door.
Alarm bells went off in my mind as I watched him intently, trying to read him and deciding to go with my gut. “You know what, Coop, we’ll need to do this another time,” I told him, pushing gently on Francesca’s lower back, guiding her back toward the stairs.
“Sorry, Maddox, I can’t let you do that.” His dull tone had the hair rising on the back of my neck as he drew his weapon, aiming it at the two of us.
I pulled Francesca behind me, a deadly calm sweeping over me. Nothing and no one would hurt my family. I just wished like hell I’d been able to bring my gun into the station.
“How did they get to you?” I asked him, no longer caring anything for the traitor in front of me but knowing I needed to buy some time.
“I’m sorry, Maddox.” He sounded ashamed, beaten down. “I met someone. They’ll kill her if I don’t hand your woman over. Never had anything to lose before.”
I heard Francesca’s intake of breath behind me, my tee clutched tightly in her hands as she huddled against my back.
“That’s not happening,” I growled, watching as sweat slid down his temples. Why the hell hadn’t I paid more attention to his stress level? I’d just figured he was working too much overtime. I never imagined it was something like this.
Cooper had always been steady, but now his gaze was frantic, his entire body seeming to vibrate with anxiety. It was clear he was conflicted. But with my girl’s life being the source of that conflict, I didn’t spare him an iota of sympathy.
