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My shoulders slumped in defeat. “I brought River to 4 Play. I invited her.” Guilt stampeded across my chest. “All I wanted was to give her something better. Help her heal. But here we are. I fucked up once again.”
Chance’s hand gripped my shoulder. “Don’t you dare take that on. I’ll fucking kick your ass. Did you know that Laura or whatever her name is was a crazy bitch? No. Did you force Laura to take River? No. Did you make Laura kidnap girls and sell them? No. You cannot force someone to do something. Those are her choices, not yours. If you’d said that you held a gun to Laura’s head and made her do these things, then we might have a different discussion. But that’s not what’s happened. Don’t own that shit.”
My heart and logic warred with each other. Logically, I knew Chance was right. But my heart … my heart said I’d failed to protect the one person that meant more to me than my own life.
“Pierce said he’d call me when he learned something. We should get to work.”
“On it. Let’s fill the others in and see what they think.” Chance opened the door and motioned for me to go on in.
“Sounds good.” I peeked at Zayne, who had soundlessly appeared at the side of the home. For a second, he’d startled me, but then I remembered that he patrolled the entire property.
He nodded in my direction, and I assumed Pierce had updated him concerning the new development.
Over the next few hours, we talked about the club and how to make it safer. But even as we tossed out different ideas, I realized I could try my best, but there was no way to protect everyone from harm. Finally, Brynn suggested that I not make any decisions right now. We were all too emotional and on edge to think clearly.
Jace strolled into the kitchen, then returned with a beer for each of us. I constantly glanced at the clock on my phone. No matter what, I couldn’t seem to distract myself.
Brynn had finally drifted off to sleep on the couch, snuggled between the guys. It had been nice to see her enjoying a few hours of her day earlier. I knew she loved to shop, but this was different. Her happiness was helping me as well. It gave her a purpose for a little while.
I rose from the chair and strolled to my new bedroom. The idea alone seemed strange. For the last several months, I’d shared a bed with River. Maybe, just maybe, she’d be with me soon.
When she was with me again, I couldn’t wait to get her thoughts about the club and rebuilding. Maybe she’d still want to go to New York after she settled in. We’d bring the rest of our family and give all of us a fresh start. It was difficult planning my future because she was in it. I had no idea if she’d return whole or broken beyond repair. Regardless, I’d love her until she was able to move forward. She’d have a bodyguard full time, no compromising on that detail. If she wanted to keep the baby, then we’d shop for a house in a place where she felt safe and secure. If not, we’d discuss abortion and adoption. I’d do whatever she wanted. Nothing else mattered but her.
Stretching out, I stared at the ceiling as my hand patted the other side of the bed. Would she be next to me by tomorrow? I was afraid to hope, but at the same time, I couldn’t help it.
I inhaled deeply. With the stress, I’d found myself breathing shallowly. My eyelids fluttered closed as I imagined each part of my body relaxing. In. Out. In. Out.
The high-pitched chirp of my phone ringing nearly shot me out of bed. I fumbled around on the nightstand, but only managed to knock the alarm clock off, sending it clattering to the floor. I swore a blue streak. It was a few minutes past three in the morning. With another attempt, I located my cell and answered.
“This is Holden.” My voice was groggy.
“It’s Pierce.”
I sat up ramrod straight. “Did they find River?” Time screeched to a rude and abrupt halt. Silence jammed the line while the beat of my pulse pounded in my head.
“No. I’m sorry, Holden.”
“Goddammit.”
“They arrested Laura, but the property was clean. The FBI searched for hidden walls, basements, cellars, loose floorboards, they tore the place apart. It was a thorough search. We will see if Laura gives up her boss,” Pierce explained.
His words hit me in the chest, cracking me open. Saying nothing, I waited for more from him while my stomach formed painful knots.
“Don’t give up. We sure as hell aren’t,” Pierce said.
“Do we have any other leads?” My body trembled as the dark news seeped into the depths of my battered soul.
“They’re following this one. It’s all connected. As soon as the FBI learns more, or Sutton and I do, I’ll call you.”
“All right.”
“And the thumb drive Tim gave you is authentic. It hadn’t been tampered with. With the conversation we picked up from his car … Holden, I don’t think he has anything to do with it.”
I ran my fingers through my hair, scrambling for any other clues I might have missed. “What about Logan?”
Papers rustled in the background. “He’s still a possibility.”
“Is he even with Tim?” I asked.
