I give her a reassuring smile. “I just don’t want Caleb to hear all this. I’ll meet you out front in about twenty minutes.”
“Okay,” she says, still watching me with suspicion.
I bend down and give Caleb a fierce hug. “Get me triple chocolate, okay?” I ruffle his hair a bit and give him my biggest smile. He grins back and happily goes with Lucy, looking back at me to wave as they round the corner.
You are the worst piece of shit in all existence. How can you do this to your son?
Tears trickle down my face as I turn to go inside.
I have to. I have no choice.
Bailey is at the front of the room, talking about strategy. The meeting has almost wrapped up, and groups of people are arming themselves and getting ready to leave. I step boldly to the front of the room.
“I’m going with you, Bae,” I state.
He frowns and shakes his head. “Out of the question. You’ve been through enough, and I won’t put you in danger.”
“I have to go. Rider will be wondering what happened to me. If he thinks I’m dead, he might attack you.”
“We’ll tell him everything,” Kyle says. “I promise.”
I stare at him, shaking my head. “What if he doesn’t believe you?”
“I don’t like this,” Bae says.
“Too bad! He’s my mate, and I deserve to be there to fight with him!”
And I don’t trust you not to kill him.
Bae sighs, looking at the floor, then back at me. “I don’t agree. But I will let you come.”
“Good,” I say. “What are we waiting for?”
Bailey gives the order, and everyone moves out. I join Lena and Leslie, both armed to the teeth and ready for battle. As we go through the back doors, I look over my shoulder, hoping Caleb doesn’t see me go.
I’m so sorry, little man. But I have to go and save your dad. I can’t let him die.
I swallow my pain and rush to get in one of the trucks. The quicker we get this done, the sooner I can get back to my son.
Chapter 23 - Rider
The night passes with agonizing slowness. There is no sign of where Fiona went, and no trace of Tobias. When I return with Ryan, we go straight to the hall for updates.
“Anything?” Lilah asks when we come through the doors.
I shake my head. “He went by car from the first main road. How are things here?”
“No sign of Tobias’s goons,” she answers. “Luke and Donny have been gone quite a while, though.”
“Actually, we’re back,” Donny announces from behind us. Lilah runs to embrace her mate.
“What did you find?” I ask.
“The young ones went into Sawpit,” Luke says. “We didn’t follow them in. There is an incredibly strong scent in there. Lots of wolves coming and going.”
I growl through my teeth, trying to contain my wolf. Sawpit is a tiny place, and if there are that many wolves there, it must be for a reason.
“Last time I was there, some of the wolves supported me. Do you think that might still be the case?” I ask.