Page 29 of Pigeon

I freeze and quit breathing when I hear the low, threatening growl coming from directly behind me. When the second growl is even closer, I release my fingers, one at a time, from his jeans. Not moving anything else on my body, I wait to see if today’s date is going to become the anniversary of my death. I ignore the smug look on Craig’s face, Axel’s howling laughter, and Mac’s singing of “Who Let The Dogs Out.”

When I survive a full minute, and there’s no more growling, I slowly turn my head to see Lucas, Loki, and Cain standing behind me. Luke is giving Craig a thumbs up. Loki is eyeing me but seems relaxed now that the threat is gone. Cain’s ruff is still standing up, and I can see small flashes of his teeth. After a moment, he settles down and walks off. Breathing for the first time in what feels like forever, I turn back to Craig.

“What’s going on?” asks Pippa as she and Pooh enter the clubhouse.

“Pigeon’s trying to become a chew toy,” Axel wheezes out.

“Loki’s bird hunting!” Mac shouts.

“Why? Or should I ask, what’s Craig got to do with it?” Pippa says while shooting a mom look at her son.

“I did nothing. We’re good; all’s good. It’s a guy thing, Mom. Pigeon and I now have an understanding, though, don’t we?” Craig asks with a smirk.

“Yeah, we do. All’s well,” I answer while thinking of ways to make Pooh pay for his kid’s antics.

“Oh shit. You’re going to take whatever this is out on me, aren’t you?” Pooh whines.

“Yep.”

“Fuck me,” Pooh says, accepting his fate. “Knew I should’ve gotten those waivers printed up.”

“Thanks for picking Craig up for us, Pigeon. Let’s go, Craig. You can tell us about your day, but first, you need to apologize to Pigeon for whatever you did to have him contemplating murder,” Pippa states.

“Sorry, Pigeon,” Craig responds immediately and not very sincerely. “Thanks for dinner.”

“Before you tamper with my bike’s brakes, remember that he did apologize,” Pooh tells me as they walk out the door.

Returning to my seat, I grab a beer and turn to Axel.

“Where’s everyone at?”

“Ava had a doctor’s appointment, so Gunner took the girls and met her there. They’re eating dinner somewhere and then will be back. Luke wanted to stay with me and Alex, so we came here since Bailey is drawing. Pops and Trigger just left before you got here. I have no clue about anyone else except Livi and James because they’re on shift,” Axel answers. “Carmen’s family will be here tomorrow. They’re positive the trafficking ring is making a sale this coming week. Rex is working on locations and names.”

“We ready for them?” I ask.

“We’re ready,” Axel answers before changing the subject. “Sounds like Craig had a good day. Everything okay with Ivy?”

“Yeah, he did. I don’t think anything will be okay for her until her brother has a come to Jesus moment.”

“You get the chance to make that happen, I want to be there,” Axel says with a wicked grin.

“Sounds like a plan.”

Walking into the clubhouse the next afternoon, I look around at the men gathered there. My club brothers, along with several unfamiliar men, have pulled several tables together and are sitting around them. Taking a seat next to Horse, I signal Toes for a beer. After he places it in front of me, Gunner points to each club member and states their name. When he’s finished, Carmen’s oldest brother, Mateo, does the same with his men.

“Tell us what you know,” Gunner says.

“Since your club returned our sister to us, we’ve been working to bring an end to more sex rings. We tried working with law enforcement but have found their hands are tied most of the time. They have rules and laws to follow, and we do not. We appreciate any help you can give us but don’t expect any of you to risk yourselves doing that,” Mateo states.

“How’s Carmen doing now?” Petey asks.

“Much better, but she has scars, inside and out, that will never heal. Our sister went from being a young, confident woman to being scared to leave the house. She’s quiet, reserved, and not the woman who terrorized her brothers when they were younger. What you did for her can never be repaid, but we’re trying to do the same for others that are in the position she was once in. Can you tell me what has happened with the young girl that Carmen was with? Bella?” Mateo asks.

“My wife and I adopted her, and she’s doing great. Therapy and a lot of love has worked wonders for Bella,” Petey answers with obvious pride in his youngest child.

“That’s great to hear. Really, it’s amazing and gives us hope for the young girls we’ve gotten back so far. Carmen will be happy to hear that Bella’s safe and happy,” Mateo states with a warm smile.

“Carmen mentioned that Bella couldn’t speak. Was that because of the trauma?” Luis, another brother, questions.

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