Page 158 of Nyx

"Do we check the rooms and make sure they have everything?" Holler asks, deferring the question to Legend since he's been with Cerberus longer than the two of us.

"No," Legend answers quickly. "We were told to grab what's down here. It would feel like a violation to go deeper into the house."

Holler nods, as if he agrees and maybe was thinking the same thing.

"Not much stuff for five women and two kids," Thumper grumbles, looking at the stacks of totes.

"I only counted four leaving the house," Holler says. "Where's number five?"

We all freeze, our eyes darting to the stairs.

"Which one was missing?" I ask.

We're very organized, so I know there's no chance someone didn't get one of the women they knew they were responsible for.

"Traci," Victoria says as she steps out of the office.

"The pregnant woman?" I ask.

She nods. "She didn't want to go."

I don't grill her for answers, but I wonder how that will play out where Juliet is concerned.

"So we need to keep people outside the house?" I ask, feeling a little weird to be inside right now if one woman is still here."

"No," she answers. "We've made other arrangements for her."

"Sounds good," Thumper says. "We're on a clock. Let's get this loaded up."

"I was told to follow you," Victoria says ten minutes later, when all the personal belongings are loaded into the box truck and secured. "I have to have a conversation with Kincaid about Andrea and Denise."

"We'll take up the rear right behind the box truck," Harley tells her. "Just file in right in front of us. They'll have to check your car at the gate."

"Sounds good," she says before walking to her car.

I walk across the yard, looking over my shoulder at the house one last time before climbing into my SUV. Jinx and Grinch left with the vehicles carrying the women, and Recon stayed outside to keep an eye on the vehicles while we loaded everything up.

The drive back to the clubhouse is filled with anticipation. I know things are going to be crazy for the rest of the day. I know the women will have access to the kitchen and such, but I don't know how the schedule is going to work.

We weren't asked to pack our things and move into one of the spare rooms in another member's house, which suggests the women are okay with being in the clubhouse with us still there, but I do know we'll have to keep some distance. We'll be updated if anything changes or someone doesn't feel safe with us there.

The gates open when we're spotted, and as we did after the park incident yesterday, we drive right through, only Victoria and the SUV driven by Harley stopping for inspection.

I'm antsy to see Juliet, which motivates me to move faster.

I have no idea if she feels the same way. If she gets a little excited at the idea of running into me, or if thoughts of me fill her mind like she does mine.

I know even thinking about her is dangerous.

It makes me want and wish for things I can never have.

The woman will never be in my arms.

She'll never fall asleep with her head on my chest, her breathing matching mine.

But I can live in the fantasy for a while until she's safe and moves on with her life.

Chapter 40