“Monroe, you, okay?” I ask her. She’s sitting with her back against the house, eyes closed, Henley squirming in her lap.
“Yeah, well, I think I am. This little one had an accident though, and she hasn’t started her antibiotics. Sadie was more concerned with getting us out of the house, but I saw her bag sitting on the kitchen table. Could you, ugh, grab it for me?” Monroe is just like Doc, thinking about everyone but herself.
“Why don’t you let me take Henley. Maybe catch your breath? If you want Henley back afterwards, you can do that too, but right now, I’m thinkin’ you could do with a minute, huh?” I ask her. Henley is already reaching out to me. I think nothing of it, knowing she’ll ruin my clothes with her having an accident.
“Yeah, that’d be great. Not for nothing, Sadie’s a badass, a crazy one, but a badass nonetheless,” she jokes.
“Ru-ru, Momma o-tay?” Henley asks. My body moves back towards Sadie.
“Yeah, baby girl. Momma’s going to be okay. How about we get you changed and get your medicine? Maybe by then Momma will be up and ready to give you all the kisses in the world.” Henley holds on to my cheek, giving me a goofy grin, more gum than teeth, and I know everything that means something to me will be okay.
Eighteen
Sadie
“Easy does it, Sadie girl.” My eyes pop open, and I immediately attempt to sit up.
“Where are Henley and Monroe?” Doc helps me sit up. That way, my back is against a banister. It’s then that I see with my own two eyes just where Monroe is, which makes me shut my mouth because if Doc gets the view that I’m getting, we’re all in for a rude awakening. Though, the way he’s holding her cheek, looking down into her eyes, how she’s got eyes for only him, yeah, something is definitely brewing, and when it explodes, everyone in a thirty-mile radius is going to hear about it. Not to mention the repercussions Cannon will receive from every one of his brothers.
“Ruger’s got Henley. He’s changing her clothes and giving her medicine. Monroe is probably walking off her anger, knowing her.” If only Doc knew what she was really up to, he’d be away from me so fast my head would spin.
“Thanks, Doc. How soon until we can get out of this place? It’s giving me the heebie jeebies.” A shiver works its way down my spine.
“Hopefully soon. I’m worried you may have a concussion. Even if you don’t, I may tell Ruger you do. That boy is pissed off like a blue tick hound when it misses its mark.” Doc isn’t wrong, and even though it hurts, I still laugh.
“Momma, I have Ru-ru,” we hear Henley as Bentley carries her out the door, bag on his shoulder. She’s in a new outfit, making me grimace at what she’s gone through today. She’s only two, and the life she’s led so far has been beyond my control in the way of a deadbeat dad, being in lockdown multiple times, and now being kidnapped. Thank God Henley is too young to remember all of this.
“Yes, you do.” I smile at the sight of her and Bentley. It seems Monroe and Cannon snuck off and out of the way somewhere. I’m not sure if I should be thankful or worried. For today, I’m not going to think about it.
“Woman, we’re going to have a long talk, scaring the hell out of me like that.” Doc stands up, moving out of the way so Bentley and I can have our time with Henley.
“I know, but it was worth it to have you two here with me like this, the club members safe, and Monroe. I’d do it a thousand times over to be right where I am.” Henley launches herself into my chest, snuggling into my neck, allowing me to smell my sweet, precious girl.
“Hi, pretty girl,” I coo, kissing the crown of her head, my hand rubbing her back.
“Hi. Momma, we go home?” she asks. I look up at Bentley, trying not to show how tired I truly am.
“Might have been worth it to you, but it scared the shit out of me. We’ll talk more once we’re back home. I hate like hell to have to do this, but we have shit to take care of. Doc and Cannon will take you girls back to the clubhouse. Stay there, please?” The way Bentley says please isn’t a use in manners, it’s more of a plea.
“Of course, but don’t take your eyes off Maria. She’s capable of way too much. Those men in there? That was all her doing, and I want you home in one piece. Not to mention, if Shovel or Razor get hurt, that would be bad. I think Raven would kill Maria, bury her, dig her up, kill her again, and repeat the process.” Bentley tips his head back, a loud laugh leaving him. I’ve seen him in numerous moments, in the shower coming deep inside me, the way he is with Henley, soft and sweet first thing in the morning, and now him laughing. The only problem is, I can’t figure out which moment is sexier.