Page 75 of Outlaw Xmas
“She’s gonna see us,” Throttle said as he settled in the front seat.
“It’s dark. It’ll be fine,” Axe replied, slipping in the back seat. “Everything go good?”
Hawk glanced behind his shoulder. “Yeah.”
They rode back in silence, and Axe turned his body so that Charity could look out the window and not at the brothers. No one dared say a word about what had happened at the farmhouse. The less the child knew, the better it would be for her and for them.
By the time they arrived at the clubhouse, the girl had fallen asleep again against Axe. He covered her head with the blanket and went into the clubhouse.
“Take her to my room,” Hawk said, handing him the key. “We gotta figure out what we’re gonna do with her. Have Kristy stay with her.”
The rest of the brothers came in, and Rusty and Skinless pulled the trucks around back to unload the marijuana plants and the guns. The other prospect, Hog, had drinks lined up and ready for the brothers when they were ready for them.
Axe climbed the stairs to the third floor and opened the door. Illuminated by moonlight, he gently placed her on the bed and covered her with the blanket then slipped out to find Kristy. Once Kristy was in place, he went down to join the others in the great room.
Banger motioned him over. “A goddamn mess with the kid. Did she see or hear anything?”
“Not really. She seems pretty tired. I’m damn surprised she slept through the noise. Sorry I missed it.”
“The only bastard we didn’t get was Reggie. We checked everywhere and the asshole wasn’t around. If he takes up where his dad left off, we’ll get him.” Banger grabbed the beer on the bar.
“I thought the pussy was the one who cut off Sketcher’s balls.”
“That’s what Randy said before we put a bullet through him, but we don’t know for sure. Let’s see what he does. The fucker still needs a beatdown and he’s gonna get it for sure. Is the kid his?”
“Not sure. She didn’t say too much about her parents. Seems like the fucker Beau was messin’ with her from some of the stuff she said, and grandpa didn’t seem to give a damn.” Axe shook his head.
Banger jerked his head back. “What a bunch of sick perverts. Well, the little one doesn’t have to worry about that shit anymore. Glad we took them out. They deserved it.”
Axe bobbed his head as he brought his shot to his lips.
“We gotta take her back to her parents. Find out who they are so we can bring her back before morning. We’re gonna have enough shit to deal with when the fuckin’ badges start snooping around. A kidnapped child will take all this to a new level.”
Jerry came over and sat down on the barstool. “We took the money and drugs, so it’ll look like a robbery. They’ll probably think it was Los Asesinos. We did find out Chad was cheating them. They had a whole stash of cash and drugs in a safe he’d put behind a false wall. We made it look like it was a hit.”
“That’s why we gotta bring the girl back to her parents right away,” Axe said. “I’ll go up and see what I can get out of her.”
A few hours later, Kristy, decked in a wig, glasses, and heavy makeup, rang the doorbell of Paige and Eddie Bridgewater. It turned out that Chad was Eddie Bridgewater’s grandfather and Charity’s great-grandfather. Kristy told them she’d found Charity wondering in the streets. She rushed away as the two confused parents hugged their daughter. It seemed that the news about Chad’s death hadn’t reached them yet. It’d probably take a few days before the badges received a call. By then, Kristy would be back at the clubhouse—her safe haven.
Axe dropped her off and drove home. It’d been a night of mixed emotions for him. Holding and comforting Charity had sparked something inside him he couldn’t explain. He didn’t know the child, but he’d been concerned for her safety and the way she felt. He hadn’t wanted her to be afraid of him. And when she’d said she didn’t want Beau around her, anger had flared up inside him and he’d wished he could’ve beaten the shit out of the man before Banger had put a bullet into his skull.
Axe went quietly into the bedroom and slipped out of his clothes. Slipping between the sheets, he smiled when Baylee mumbled something in her sleep. He scooted close to her and rested his hand on her belly.She’s got our kid growing inside her.For the first time since she’d told him the news, a thread of happiness unfurled inside him. He actuallywantedthis baby, and that thought blew him away. And something deep inside him assured him he’d be nothing like is mom or dad; he’d love his child no matter what.
“What time is it?” Baylee’s sleepy voice startled him.
“Almost four.”
“You’re back real late. Is everything okay?” She turned around and faced him.
“Yeah. Everything’s good.” He dipped his head down and kissed her tenderly. “I love you, baby.”
A smile flicked across her lips, and she brought her hand to his cheeks and stroked it. “I love you too.”
Rubbing her stomach, he kissed her again. “I’m happy about the baby,” he muttered against her lips.
“You are? Really?”
“Really, babe.”
