Page 58 of Deserter

He leaned back in his chair and looked up at me grimly. “Well, that’s gonna be a problem.”

“Why do I get the feeling I’m not gonna like whatever the fuck you’re about to get into?”

“I said I wouldn’t bring it up; thought it wasn’t my place. I know about the kid, Jamie. I’ve known for a while now.”

Bringing Mikey into the conversation dialed the rage up another notch and I growled, “Watch it, Wolverine. None of that has a goddamn thing to do with Celia.”

He held his hands up. “I’m not trying to piss you off, Grey, but it absolutely fucking relates back to Celia. Apparently, Lucy wasn’t the only one with her the other afternoon.” He looked past me to the doorway before lowering his voice. “Betsy was there too.”

I rocked back on my heels. Jesus Christ, of course she was. Celia hadn’t left because she was scared. Betsy had gotten to her first and filled her head with lies.

“So, I’ll deal with Betsy and then Celia. Problem fucking solved.”

He shook his head. “Lucy got a call from Molly earlier; she was supposed to meet up with Celia, but she canceled last minute because Betsy was going to be taking her to a doctor’s appointment. What the fuck does that sound like to you, Grey?”

I knew exactly what it sounded like—Betsy keeping her fucking talons in me.

“Where is she?” My voice was low, laced with desperation.

I didn’t do desperate.

“She’s just a kid, Grey. Maybe this is for the best—”

I grabbed his kutte and hauled him up to his feet. “You did not just drop this shit on me only to try to talk me out of going after her!”

He hesitated. “Best Luce can figure they’ll be at that clinic over on sixth.”

“We got anyone there?” I asked, as I strode out to my bike. I wanted to fucking run, but I had men everywhere and I’d be damned if any one of them saw me running after a chick like some pussy.

“If I’m thinking of the right place, it’s the same clinic we’ve sent a few of the club whores to in the past—Viktor’s.”

If we had a doctor on our payroll, then I could shut that shit down without the cops getting called. If Wolverine was wrong, then they’d lock the place down, fucking any chance of me getting to Celia in time.

I whistled. “Comedian, you’re with me.”

He tossed his cigarette down with a smirk. “Where we headed, Pres?”

“Your Ol’ Lady fucked up. Need you to handle it.”

He didn’t ask for more details or demand proof; just hopped on his bike with one word. “Where?”

I clenched my jaw. “Clinic over on sixth. She has Celia.”

His bike roared to life, and we kicked up dust as we left the canyon. Thoughts waged war on feelings as we blew down the highway.

I’d been too fucking young with Mikey and pissed away the opportunity to raise him as my own.

Celia was my second chance.

What was I going to do? Storm the place and demand she keep our child? Force her to give up everything for me?

I had nothing to offer her; had even told her as much. All I knew was that I wasn’t going to let her run from me again. And as fucked up as it was, I wanted to watch her body change and know that it was because of me.

We pulled into the parking lot and I spotted Betsy’s car almost immediately. Comedian stepped off his bike and rolled his shoulders before nodding to me.

The woman behind the counter paled when we walked in. I glanced around the lobby, hoping like hell they hadn’t taken her back. Instead of Celia, I found Betsy sitting alone, completely oblivious that we were standing a few feet away

“Betsy,” growled Comedian and her head shot up.

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