Page 74 of Vex

“We screwed up. Made a mistake and we’re sorry,” Tessie says softly.

“It won’t ever happen again, Taja. Promise it won’t,” Bella adds.

“We decided we needed to tell you what we did because we don’t want Craig to get into trouble for trying to help us. We know you saw him yesterday, and he promised he didn’t tell you what he was doing. He was just trying to help, and he was looking out for us. So please don’t be mad at him or get him into trouble. It was us that messed up,” Tessie explains.

“Okay. I promise I won’t get Craig into trouble. What do you mean you messed up though?” I ask.

“Bella and I were talking about things. About how both of us have been kidnapped and what happened when we were. Before you get upset, neither of us were sexually assaulted. I promise that. But it was good that we talked even if we both ended up in tears. Both of us got beatings, Bella more than me though. We talked about how scared we were and how relieved I was when I saw Vex. I knew I was going to be okay then. I knew it because I knew to my soul that Vex would make it that way. Bella felt the same way when she saw Pooh and the other guys. She somehow knew they weren’t there to hurt her. Anyway, that’s not an excuse though for what we did,” Tessie says.

“I’m glad you two talked about those things and have each other to do that with. Either of you can always come to me too if there’s things you need to talk about. I hope you know this,” I answer firmly.

“I do. We do,” Bella responds glancing at Tessie.

“We grabbed a couple of beers from here and sat in the woods drinking them and spilling our guts to each other,” Tessie blurts out.

“They were disgusting so neither of us drank the whole beer. I swear! Even the small amount I had made me feel sick though,” Bella says.

“And Craig came across you, came here for ginger ale to settle your stomach and ran into me,” I say having worked out what Craig’s part was in all of this.

“Yeah,” Tessie agrees.

“Craig took us to his fort in the woods to hide us from everyone. He thought that since the ginger ale helped settle your stomach, it would for us too. He also poured out our beer then lectured our butts off,” Bella adds with a small smile.

“He was just trying to help,” Tessie states.

“Yeah, he was. I know that. He made a comment about taking care of family. He didn’t want you two to get into trouble and was worried when you didn’t feel well,” I tell them.

“We’re really sorry, Taja. I swear it won’t ever happen again,” Tessie vows.

“I don’t like it, but I get it. But drinking isn’t the answer—ever. I’m not mad and I trust you two to do the right thing next time. Maybe you should both apologize to Craig though. You put the little guy in an awkward position yesterday,” I say.

“We will. We owe him that. Are you going to tell Mom?” Bella questions quietly.

“No, I’m not. Unless it happens again, this will stay between us. And I’m positive Craig would have to be tortured before he spilled the beans, so I think you’re safe on that count.”

“Thank you, Taja,” Bella and Tessie both say at the same time. Both sound relieved and I think they’ve learned their lesson. Time to move on.

“Want to see the things I’ve picked out for the baby so far?” I ask the girls.

“Yes!”

Chapter 26

Vex

I’m getting impatient with being away from Taja. I want to end this with Rooster once and for all, but I need to get home to her too. I know Axel’s feeling the same since he talks about Bailey and Alex non-stop. We know Rooster’s in Los Alamos, New Mexico and that’s where we’re at waiting for intel from Rex.

One of our support clubs has contacted Gunner. They’re extremely interested in Rooster’s whereabouts also. Guess we’re not the only club he’s crossed. He definitely has more enemies than friends, and that’s playing in our favor. Some of his club members have bailed and let the word out that they’ve stripped themselves of their own patch. We’ve heard that there’s been dissension amid his club for a while and talk about voting in a new president. A few of those who’ve spoken out against Rooster are now MIA. We know that several have gone to ground. Whether by his hand or their own choice, we’re not sure. That doesn’t matter to us. We eliminated four at their clubhouse, so we know their numbers are dwindling. We definitely have the advantage, but we have to find him first.

While waiting for Rex’s call, I step outside the hotel door and pull out my phone. I hit dial and wait for her to answer. When she does, I can hear the surprise in her voice. I haven’t called nearly enough, and the guilt of that rides heavy on me.

“Hello? Vex?” Mom says in her soft voice.

“Yeah, it’s me. How you doing, Mom?”

“I’m good, Vex. I’m so glad you called. How’ve you been?”

“All’s good with me. How’s everyone?” I ask knowing she knows I mean my brother and not my dad.

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