Page 72 of Fighting for Family

Thirty minutes later, Claire called Gabby. “Did Knight ever return?”

“No,” Gabby said, sounding worried. “Did Patch return?”

“No. I hoped to find him talking with you and Knight. I wonder where they can be.”

“My contractions have started coming seven minutes apart. I want Knight,” Gabby said, sounding stressed.

“Don’t worry. Victoria came by a little while ago. I’ll ask her if she’s seen them.”

“Let me know. It’s not like Knight to leave me this long,” Gabby said.

“I’ll call her now,” Claire promised and hung up. She dialed Victoria’s number.

“Hello, darling. Did you call to tell me the sex of my newest grandchild?” she asked.

“Uh, no. Have you seen Patch or Knight? They’re missing,” she blurted out. “Gabby’s contractions have gotten closer together, and she can’t find him. He went to the kitchen to grab her a popsicle over an hour ago. I sent Patch to get him. He hasn’t returned. It’s been half an hour. What can be keeping them?”

“I’m in the parking lot. I’ll see if I can find them,” she assured Claire. “I’ll send them straight to you.”

“I appreciate it,” Claire said. “Thanks.”

* * *

Victoria entered the hospital and took the elevator to the kitchen area. Seeing nothing amiss, she started to turn away when she heard thumping.

She walked behind the counters and listened. She heard a muffling sound coming from the freezer.

“Hello?” she called out. “Anyone down here?” She waited a second as everything went silent. “Hello?”

Suddenly she heard frantic beating on the freezer door and a smile spread across her face.

Leaning against the door, she called out, “Patch, are you there?”

“Victoria, let us out of here. The door handle jammed. Knight and I are stuck in here,” he demanded.

“Oh, what a pity,” she tsked. “Just when your wife’s labor pains jumped only a few minutes apart. They might deliver any minute.”

“Open the damn door, Victoria,” Patch ordered.

“How far along is Gabby?” Knight asked. “I can’t miss this.”

“It’s too bad Patch considers women a weak link in the chain. I hardly believe I have the strength to tug on the poor handle.”

“This isn’t funny, Victoria. We’re freezing our asses off, and our wives need us.”

“Much like Sparky felt when she went back for her team. Do you know the reason why I left, Patch?” she asked.

“No. And I don’t give a damn. Open the door,” he yelled.

“Our little Tori’s mom went missing. I returned to gather men and meet the Texas team to search for her while I searched for Leo,” she said loud enough for him to hear.

“I’m sorry, Victoria. I didn’t know,” Patch replied. “Will you please open the door?”

“Yes. As soon as you admit you’re wrong,” she said heatedly. “You say you treat women equally, but you want to remove them at the first opportunity. I want to hear you say, ‘Girls rule, and boys are fools.’”

“It’s not how the saying goes,” Knight said. “Come on, Victoria. I haven’t done anything to you. You’re supposed to say, ‘Girls rule, and boys drool.’”

“Why do you have to correct her? Seriously, we’re freezing in here,” Patch grumbled.