“They got Emery, Hayes.” Steel drags his hand through his hair. “They went straight to the neighborhood and said they’d received a report that she was being held against her will.”
“That’s bullshit.”
“I know.” He takes a deep breath, and I know whatever he’s going to say next is going to make this ten times worse. “She tried to leave Charlie with Tempe, but they wouldn’t let her. They took them both.”
My heart is a lead anchor that sinks so fast and hard that my feet are rooted in place for a second. I swear there were sounds a moment ago, but now, there’s nothing but my blood thundering between my temples.
“Soul.” Steel grabs my shoulder, snapping me out of my spiral, but it doesn’t stop my vision from tunneling.
“He fucking did it,” I say, not able to process the words, much less believe them. “On our own damn property. She should have been safe.”
I promised she’d be safe there. That Charlie would be safe.
I’m going to be sick.
“We’ll figure it out,” Steel promises. “We’ll get them back.”
When I meet his stare, there’s nothing but determination blazing. He’s had his doubts about Emery, but in this moment, he’s not my president. He’s my brother.
“I need them, Jameson. Emery. My daughter—” My voice cracks.
“I know.” He nods once, gripping my shoulder. “We’ll get them. I promise.”
The ride back to the compound takes forever, partly because I know I’m going the wrong direction. Emery and Charlie aren’t there anymore. They’re with the Feds. Or worse, back with Emery’s uncle. Either way, every fiber in my being resists returning to the clubhouse when I’m certain each mile puts more distance between me and them.
After spending ten months scouring all of Vegas for Emery, I thought my patience had been tested. This ride proves me wrong. I’d only scratched the surface because I’m summoning restraint from the depths of my soul as I stay at Steel’s side.
We reach the gate to the compound, and it’s off its hinges, evidence of the Feds ramming straight through it. It’s like they knew the guys were mostly scattered today, working on other things. There weren’t enough bodies here to stop them in time, especially since they went to the neighborhood, not the clubhouse.
By the time Ghost’s alert came through about the damage to the gate, they were already dragging Emery and Charlie into a car.
Havoc beelines for the clubhouse, while I go with Steel to the neighborhood. By the time we pull up to his house, Tempe, Reagan, and Luna are on the porch with tears streaking their faces.
One more nail in Zane’s coffin.
“Jameson.” Tempe darts off the porch, running into Steel’s arms.
He hasn’t even gotten off his bike when she wraps herself around him. He holds her in his lap, whispering something into her ear while she sobs against his chest. Only when I climb off my bike does she finally look up.
Tears fall freely down her cheeks. “I’m so sorry, Soul. I tried—I had Charlie, and then they just took her. I couldn’t stop them.”
“It’s not your fault, wildfire.” Jameson tucks her hair behind her ear.
“It’s not,” I second. “This isn’t on anyone but the assholes who came here. Thank you for trying.”
“She was crying—” Tempe sobs, collapsing against Steel again. “I should have done something else.”
“Tempe.” I stop beside Steel’s bike, and she looks up at me with tears in her eyes. “You did everything right. This isn’t on you. This is on them.”
My insides churn, but for Tempe—for Emery and Charlie—I can’t break down. They need me.
Steel’s phone rings, and Tempe slides off his bike, wiping the underside of her eyes. He doesn’t release her hand as he answers his call.
“Tell me you know where they are,” Steel says as a muffled voice comes from the other end of the line. “We’ll meet you at the clubhouse in thirty.”
He hangs up, climbing off his bike and kissing Tempe on the forehead.
“Go, I’ll be okay.” She plants her hands on his chest.
