Rhys’ handsome features were tight with anger and worry.
“We found Mox’s truck. She left it out at the truck stop along with a note and this.”
Ginny’s stomach lurched as the diamond ring clattered on the counter between them. She stared at the symbol of love and faithfulness and prayed the young couple would have a chance to tell this story to her grandchildren.
“What does the note say?” Crux asked, the muscle along his jaw quivering at his displeasure.
“It just says she loves him, something about him being the one she doesn’t want to live without, but that if she doesn’t go back, the asshole will kill us all,” Rhys growled in disgust. “She called the prick and made a deal for our lives, and she thinks Reap is her fault and begs Lee’s forgiveness.”
“Jesus,” Ginny whispered.
“That’s ballsy,” Tamara murmured behind her, admiration thick in her voice.
Ginny had to nod in agreement.
“It takes a lot of heart and guts to go back to someone you know is going to kill you. The shit thing is, Zeke is probably right; the bastard’s ego isn’t going to allow him to keep that deal. He’ll kill Eva or get her back under his thumb, and then he’ll come after Mox.”
Bowie darted a glance at the others and nodded. The men stood silent, mulling over what they wanted to do. Ginny’s phone ringing made several of them jump.
“It’s Zeke,” she said, punching the button. “Hey, big man. Give me some good news.”
“The good news is that there’s going to be a raid on the asshole’s properties. The bad news is that it’s not going down as quickly as we would like it.”
“No word on Eva?”
“She was seen going into his house this morning. The party line opinion at this point is that she entered the property of her own free will. It’s their bullshit reasoning that allows them to put tonight’s raid above her welfare.”
“What in the hell is more important than a girl’s life?”
“More girls’ lives,” Zeke said bluntly. “I’m doing what I can here, baby. How’re things there?”
Ginny rubbed at her temple as she filled him in on finding Mox’s truck, and the updated reports on Reaper and Mox that she was getting every forty-five minutes to an hour from Ami. She reluctantly handed the phone over to Bowie when she was done.
“I have some kick-ass ibuprofen in my purse that the dentist gave me if you want one, or a couple, for your headache,” Tamara offered softly.
Ginny sighed and smiled. “That would be great, honey. If this bitch turns into a migraine, I’m going to be hurting.”
Wincing in sympathy, Tamara set her four-year-old on the island beside Ginny and went to get her purse. Kennedy’s voice startled Ginny from her thoughts.
“I know what will make you feel better.”
“What’s that, baby girl?”
“Butterfly kisses,” the toddler said seriously.
“Yeah?”
Kennedy nodded solemnly, and Ginny bent down to feel the little girl’s long lashes flutter against her cheek.
“I’ll give Eva some when she gets back, too,” she promised with a shy smile.
Ginny stroked her soft hair and smiled through tears, “Thank you, precious. I think Eva’s going to need some kisses.”
Her boot heels cracked against the smooth tiles like gunfire. Not spotting the head nurse at the desk, Ginny quickened her pace, breaking into a trot down the hallway. Bowie hadn’t liked it, but when Ami had called to let her know that Mox had fallen trying to leave the hospital, she’d been determined to get back to his side. Big Red had relented with the promise that she wouldn’t step a toe outside the hospital without notifying him and set Tech and Rhys to tail her. With Sambo and Eddie already here at the hospital, she was well protected.
Ginny’s heart lurched as she eased open the door and looked at Mox’s still form.
“We gave him a light sedative to help keep him down.”
Nodding at Ami, Ginny moved to the bedside and wrapped her fingers around his big hand. “Thank you.”
“He’s going to be okay.”
Accepting the comforting hug from her longtime neighbor, Ginny gave a shaky laugh. “He’s normally so much like his father, indestructible. Seeing him hurt scares me.”
“I know. It’s scary how things change. I keep thinking about that time I helped you bandage him up after he wiped out on the dirt bike, and now it’s a bullet wound. That scares the hell out of me, and I’m a mother.”
Smiling at the familiar saying among mothers in their neighborhood, Ginny sank down in the chair beside the bed.
“I know he’s a big boy, but I appreciate you calling me.”
“Not a problem. If Garrett’s home alone, he’s more than welcome to go over and hang out with my men.”
“He’s at the clubhouse kicking some of the older guys’ butts in some videogame at the moment, but I appreciate the offer.”
“Anytime,” Ami said, giving her shoulder a comforting squeeze before continuing her rounds.
Ami’s comment about the dirt bike on her mind, Ginny studied the sleeping man. Only the long lashes resting on his cheeks reminded her of the little boy she loved. He was all grown up. It was hard to reconcile the man that could kill for her with the little boy they’d taken into their home and hearts. She shook her head, a smile curving her lips as she remembered the time he’d busted into the master bedroom. Maybe it wasn’t so hard. There had been a fire and determination in his eyes that night, as he stared down Zeke, that couldn’t be matched by a lot of full grown men. Mox was protective and loyal, almost to a fault.
She shifted in her chair and reached for the extra blanket at the foot of his bed. Curling up, she wondered what had gone through his head when he’d made the decision. The official ruling on Kramer had been suicide. How had Mox made it look like the rat bastard had taken his own life? Her heart twisted, thinking of the burden he’d been carrying in the months after her rape. She’d been so wrapped up in trying to get her shit back together that she’d brushed his pain off as the same guilt the other men in her life were carrying. She should’ve known better.
“You have to let me go.”
Ginny jumped at the soft words. That determination she’d seen so many years ago blazed from his pale eyes.
“You aren’t going anywhere. Besides the fact that you have a bullet wound, you fell and broke your crown, and you have a target painted on you. That Rocco asshole wants you dead, in case you didn’t get the memo.”
“And if that were you, what would be going through your head right now? What one thought would be keeping you going?”
Ginny’s lips pressed together, and her chin came up a notch as she shook her head. “We’re not talking about me.”
“Tell me that you wouldn’t be sitting there thinking, hoping, praying that Zeke was coming for you.”
“You’re not Superman, baby. Bullets aren’t going to bounce off. You can barely stand. I promise you that Zeke is doing everything he can.”
“Would that be good enough for Zeke if it were you? Would it be good enough that someone else was doing everything they could? Would you be thinking of someone else coming through that door, or would you be praying for the one man that you know will die for you, will kill for you?”
“Apparently I have more than one of those,” Ginny whispered.
Mox’s intensity softened and he squeezed her hand.
“Yes you do, but Eva only has one. I love her. I promised her that I would be the one to protect her.”
“I know you do, and you may have the constitution of an ox, but you’re in no shape to be kicking in doors right now. Right now you’re going to have to rely on your family and friends.”
He stared out the window, his other fist clenching in frustration. Ginny leaned forward in protest as he tried to sit up. The motion was too much for his head, and he slumped back against the pillows with a tortured groan.
“Let the law get this one. Please. They owe us.”
“Have you talked to Zeke?”
Ginny nodded, biting her lip. His gaze searched her face.
“What aren’t you telling me?”
She hesitated, weighing the information. Finally she sighed. She couldn’t lie to him. “The Feds have a raid set up on one or more of Rocco’s properties for tonight.”
“So CPD can’t go anywhere near him right now because the fucking Feds don’t want anything to blow their bust.”
“And we can’t either because he’s under surveillance.”
Mox looked at her in surprise. “It was discussed?”
“Of course it was. He shot two Lords,” Ginny said, fear and sadness in her husky voice. “Did you think your brothers wouldn’t want revenge and to get your old lady back?”
“So, what’s the deal? The Feds know about Eva, and we have to pray she lives long enough for them to get her out in the raid?”
“I don’t know, baby. Zeke’s working on it. You know he’s got a soft spot for Eva. He’ll do everything he can.”
“She likes him too,” Mox murmured. “Go figure.”
“He has a certain charm,” Ginny said with a smug little smile.
A silence fell between them. Mox stared out the window, his thoughts closed to her. Stroking a thumb over his knuckles, Ginny sent up a little prayer. She was doing all she could to keep him physically safe, but she was going to need some help with his heart. He didn’t look at her when he spoke again, and a chill worked down her spine.
“I don’t know if letting you know about Kramer was the right decision, but maybe I needed you to understand. The case is closed. Only you, I, and Zeke know. As long as we keep it that way, I’m safe,” Mox said and then paused, still staring out the window. When he turned, there was a look in his eyes that Ginny couldn’t quite place, a haunted desperation. “It wasn’t something that I wanted to do, but it needed done, and I don’t regret it. I love you. I need you to believe that I’m still the same person, no matter what.”
Chapter ~ 40
The rhythmic crash of the waves under the floor was soothing. Cold had seeped into her bones until it numbed the pain. Blood was frozen on her skin. It hurt to breathe. Her eyes were closed, reaching for the peace of sleep, but her heart wouldn’t allow her to give in. A soft sob bubbled from her lips, and she tried to curl her battered body into a tighter ball.
He loved her. She’d betrayed him. She’d left his ring behind with a scrap of paper that held words inadequate to describe the love and gratitude in her heart. He deserved better, but he wanted her. She just wanted a chance at happiness. Was that too much to ask? Would he come for her? No, he was hurt.
Tears seeped from under her lashes, feeling scalding against her skin. The mocking, disjointed voices in her head reminded her it was her fault. She whimpered, hearing Lee’s terrified voice as she screamed her man’s name. Reaper’s bad, baby, Ginny had whispered. Eva pressed her forehead into the floor, trying to quiet the voices, but the images were still there.
The crimson had stained the light blue of Mox’s new shirt, pooling on the wet asphalt under his head. Clumps of dirty snow had drawn his life blood, taking on the pink flush of health as he paled under the street lamps. The swirling emergency lights had reflected in the dark puddles. She had clung to him, praying, promising God He could do anything He wanted with her if He would just spare Mox. Obviously He’d taken her at her word.
She could just make out Chelios’ still form in the gloom. Rocco had shot the loyal enforcer without even blinking. Her stomach churned. There had been a frightening glint in Rocco’s dark eyes. He had always been cold and calculating, but now there was a flicker of madness that was terrifying.
She held her breath at a sound. Her eyes strained in the dark. The seconds ticked by until her lungs screamed for oxygen. Letting out her breath, she slumped, heart pounding. Where was Rocco? Were the Lords still at the hospital with Mox? He was vulnerable in his weakened state, and Rocco would think nothing of exploiting that. If nothing else, maybe the shooting would’ve drove home how dangerous Rocco really was. He’d taken great delight in whispering sinister threats against her new friends and Eva believed every word.
“Miss me?”
Eva’s startled scream cut off into a squeak as Rocco hauled her upright by the ropes. Her muscles, cold and stiff, protested the movement, and she cried out. Sharp stabs of pain up under her ribcage made breathing difficult. She wasn’t going to be able to take much more. Fresh tears rolled down her frozen cheeks. She’d waited as long as she could.
“Don’t tell me you’re still pining for that white trash biker. Really, Eva? After everything that I’ve given you, what can he give you that I can’t?”
Biting into her lip, Eva tasted blood.
“Cat got your tongue?” Rocco asked, nuzzling her ear.
Eva shook her head, eyes focused on the floor. She shivered as his fingers curved around her chin and tilted her face up to his. She met his smug smirk, and then with everything she had, she spit in his face.
“An orgasm,” she whispered.
Rocco roared in rage as his fist smashed into her cheekbone. She heard a sickening crack. His knee drove into her gut and she crumbled, hanging slack and breathless in her bonds. A tooth crumbled as another punch snapped her head around. The ropes suddenly gave way and she slumped to the floor. The hard heel of his expensive loafer glanced off her temple. He buried the toe into her curled body, scooting her across the floor with the ferocity of his kicks. He bellowed as he stomped her viciously. The blows continued to fall, and this time, when darkness beaconed, Eva took its hand.
The whisper of voices penetrated her sleep-fogged mind. Cold made her muscles stiff as she tried to lift her head. Her ribs screamed in agony. Panting for breath, Eva struggled to lift a hand to push away the rigid blanket that covered her. Everything was black. She couldn’t even tell if her swollen eyes were open. Her fingers brushed against the scratchy material over her head, looking for the edge. She pushed weakly and the material pulled against her side.
She frowned, pushing out with her feet. The fabric moved around her. Panic stabbed at her cloudy brain. She was in a bag. Eva whimpered as the world shifted around her. She clawed at the container as she was lifted clear of the ground. The jostling movement drew protest from her ribs, and she panted against the sharp pain. Consciousness wavered, and this time, she tried desperately to cling to it.