Page 13 of Maddog

“Baby, your feelings matter. Especially after what you just went through.”

“Jax, my whole life has been about my feelings. Mom tried so hard to make sure I had everything I wanted, especially when I was sick. Then she met Wrath and we got Grandmama and Pop Pops and everyone doted on me. I’m not too proud to admit I was a spoiled brat. This whole trip has been about what I wanted. I was so busy trying to prove to myself I could do anything I wanted, I never stopped to consider how everyone I loved would feel if something happened to me. My bruised feelings are my own problem. You did exactly what you had to do, and I’ll never be able to thank you enough.” I was babbling now, but once I started, I wasn’t able to stop. “I feel so selfish, Jax! I’m so fuckin’ sorry!” And there went the tears and snot.

Jax held me tight. I thought he whispered softly to me, trying to take as much of my pain as I’d give him, but I wasn’t sure. It didn’t really matter. His voice was comforting, like it had been all my life. He let me get everything out, never hurrying me or telling me I had to get myself under control. Like always, Jax was incredibly patient with me.

When all I had left in me was a few hiccups and sniffles, Jax brushed my hair away from my face and urged me to look up at him. “This is what we need to talk about, baby.” He gave me a smile before leaning in to give me a gentle kiss. He brushed my cheek, then my lip before kissing me once more. “I am angry with you. I’m angry with you for not trusting me enough to tell me why you had to go. I’d have come with you if you’d told me the second you knew you were going. I’d have found a way home sooner. Even not knowing, I was on my way home to go with you, baby. But, more than anything, I’m angry with myself for not making you understand you could always count on me to have your back. No matter what.”

“Do you promise?”

“On my life, Holly Sweetness. On my fuckin’ life.”

Chapter Seven

Jax

Mechanic landed the big Osprey in the courtyard of the Black Reign MC compound. We were met by every patched member and old lady who were in the compound. Wrath and Fury were the first two on the aircraft.

“What the fuck happened, Jax?” My dad, Fury, wasn’t angry, just genuinely curious. “You and Holly good?”

“We’re not hurt, sir.”

My dad gave me an impatient look. “You don’t have to be so formal with me.”

“No, sir. But If I practice with you, maybe I won’t forget my manners with Wrath.” I tried to keep the grin from my face but failed miserably.

“Good plan, pup.” Wrath huffed out an irritated grunt but slapped me on the shoulder good-naturedly. “Being your father-in-law is gonna be so much fun. Especially since I’m gonna insist you call mesir. All the fuckin’ time.” The big bastard grinned but looked like he was only half joking. “Now, where’s my daughter?”

I jerked my head toward the shut door. “We had some… developments.”

“Yeah.” Fury looked past us where the other women and Alistair were. The women had beat the shit outta the man for the better part of an hour. He was somewhat the worse for wear but I doubt he’d be complaining about how he got beat up by a bunch of women for a variety of infractions, not the least of which looked like trafficking. He wasn’t the kind of man to appreciate a strong woman, or any woman at all really. Especially if she fought back. “Heard you rolled up on an attack. How many killed?”

I shrugged. “Not exactly sure. Some of the women didn’t even realize they were all together. I’m tellin’ you, this kid did a real good number on all of them.”

“Holly too?” Wrath was all business now.

“Yes, but not in the same way. And it wasn’t Alistair who played her. It was Andrea.”

Wrath’s gaze narrowed and he let his gaze track to the other women in the back. I saw the moment his gaze locked on Andrea. It was a predator’s stare, the kind you saw right before he nabbed his prey. “I’ll be right back.”

I snagged the other man’s arm and stepped in front of him. “Not now, Wrath. Talk to Holly first. Reassure her you’re not angry with her. Coddle her for a while, then we’ll deal with this. Andrea and Alistair aren’t going anywhere.”

“Where’s my Holly Sweetness?” El Diablo and his wife, Jezebel, hurried up the ramp in back of the aircraft, the anger and worry in El Diablo’s voice echoing inside the aircraft. Mechanic hadn’t unlocked the back hatch immediately after landing to make sure Chris Alistair didn’t get out of the aircraft with one of the women, hoping we’d leave him alone and not risk hurting an innocent. We wouldn’t, but we’d also never let him leave this place until we knew exactly what part he’d played and doled out a punishment to fit the crime. We just happened to believe the best defense was a good offense. Keeping Alistair contained meant he couldn’t hurt anyone else in the compound. Of course, in the shape he was currently in, I doubted he was able to do much.

The fact El Diablo hadn’t entered at the forward hatch of the aircraft with Wrath and Fury meant he intended to go in from the aft cargo hatch. Any question as to whether or not Shotgun had kept our president up to date on the information he was getting from Alistair’s phone was answered as he passed the man in question. As El Diablo approached Chris Alistair, he lashed out, crushing Alistair’s nose with the heel of his hand in one hard, vicious strike. Unfortunately, he didn’t knock the man out with the blow.

Alistair screamed, covering his nose with his hands. Blood poured through his fingers and dripped onto his lap. All the women hurried down the ramp except Andrea. She was closer to the front of the aircraft, a couple seats up from Alistair. She had her eye on El Diablo -- who didn’t spare her even a dirty look -- and completely overlooked Jezebel. I doubted it was a mistake Andrea would make again. I could have told her she was fucked either way. Jezebel was more bloodthirsty than El Diablo, and she had no qualms about hitting a woman. As was proved when she landed a hard, open-handed slap to Andrea as Jezebel passed her. Andrea whimpered, but didn’t say anything in her own defense. Which was probably a good thing, since anyone could see Jezebel wasn’t in the mood for it.

Holly chose that moment to open the door. She gave Andrea only a passing glance before looking away. I saw the pain in her eyes. No doubt everyone else could see it too. She gave El Diablo a small smile before going to Wrath. “I’m so sorry to have worried everyone.”

Wrath didn’t hesitate to enfold her in his arms. Celeste shoved her way onto the plane at the front where her husband and my father had boarded, then she hugged Holly from behind. Effectively, Wrath and Celeste surrounded Holly with their love where no one could get to her or hurt her anymore. All three of them stood there, clinging to each other. Wrath didn’t even try to hide the moisture shining in his eyes.

“Your mother was worried, honey. We’re both really glad you’re back home safe and sound.”

“Momwas worried, huh?” Holly chuckled through her tears.

“Yeah. She was.” Wrath sounded gruff as usual. If his voice was a little scratchy… well. It was dusty where the Osprey kicked up dirt when we landed.

“Tough guys don’t worry?” She was obviously trying to put her father at ease, but I knew Wrath could hear the distress in her voice because he squeezed her tighter.

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