Crap, that wasn’t good.
The gun I now noticed in his hand also wasn’t good.
“Get dressed, darlin’,” he whispered.
“What’s happening?” I whispered back.
“We’ve got company.”
I felt my eyes widen to saucers as I scrambled out of bed, grabbing my clothes. His knowing eyes watched my frantic movements, a beacon of calm despite the circumstances.
“What kind of company?” I asked as I threw on my jeans and tank top, hopping around the room as I struggled into my boots. “Where’s Maddox?”
“He’s fine. It's okay. Calm down,” he instructed, turning back to face me. “There’s a car parked just off the road. Ry spotted it. We’re gonna be cautious and head to the club,” he explained.
“Right.” I jerked my head in a nod and took a shaky breath in.
He crossed the room, putting his large hands on my shoulders and stooped to my eye level. “Babe, calm, okay? I’ve got you.”
I met his eyes and relaxed a fraction. “Okay,” I breathed. I threw on a sweater and my purse over my shoulder. “Ready,” I added with a tilt of my chin.
I thought I saw a note of pride in his eyes at my resolve when he nodded and took my hand. “Grab Mad. We’re gonna go out the garage, in my truck. Ry’s gonna be right behind us.”
“What’s Ryker even doing here? It’s so early,” I thought to ask.
“I’ve had a man on the house every night,” he answered as though that detail wasn’t important to share. We’d be having that conversation later.
“Sorry, baby,” I cooed to Maddox as I lifted him gently out of the crib. His little rosy cheeks were warm and soft as I swept my fingers over his face. He looked around, his beautiful eyes clouded with sleep as I carried him from the room.
Axel led us through the dimly lit house, the first hint of dawn barely making a dent through the darkness.
Ryker caught up with us in the living room, his expression taut as he and Axel flanked me. Both men wore shoulder holsters, guns at the ready and the whole situation was more than a little daunting considering I was still half-asleep.
Ax clipped Maddox into his car seat before drawing me around and hoisting me into the passenger side, pressing a chaste kiss to my lips before shutting my door.
I heard him exchange a few words with Ryker, though I couldn’t make them out.
“Seatbelt,” he instructed when he’d slid in the driver’s seat. He looked over at me. “I’m gonna drive fast but I know what I’m doin’. Got it?”
“Got it,” I nodded, my heart thumping painfully hard in my chest.
“Good,” he muttered, hitting the garage door.
He wasn’t kidding.
The second we could clear the door, he floored it, shooting us off into the rose-colored morning, kicking up gravel as we went. I heard the roar of a bike behind us and knew Ryker wasn’t far behind.
I risked a glance in the passenger side mirror and shuddered at seeing a black town car giving chase.
“Don’t worry about it,” Axel muttered before I could comment.
He was in complete control. He didn’t even appear stressed and I had to admit I was impressed. I’d never seen someone so calm under pressure.
I, on the other hand, was about to pee my pants.
His phone rang then and he answered with a barked, “Yeah?” He listened for a moment, his eyes glancing to the rearview every few moments. “Just one for now. At the speed I plan to drive? Ten minutes tops. Yeah, bud, see ya.” He clicked off, shoving his phone into the console.
We got closer to town, hitting the main road, and Axel really picked up speed as I heard another bike’s engine behind us.
