Page 28 of Rooster's Redemption

“You do?” Rooster looks confused and I don’t blame him. He doesn’t know I’ve already told Elsa a long time ago about him from what Phoebe told me.

“Yeah,” she nods her head. “His name is Lucas. Like yours.” Elsa grins at Rooster covering her mouth on a giggle and I swear if his pride gets any bigger, we’ll need to roll him up the stairs.

“You’re a pretty smart kid, you know that?” Rooster praises.

“Yup.” Elsa pops the p at the end. She lifts her hands to cradle my face and presses her nose against mine. She stares into my eyes, “Just like my mama, my mommy and my daddy.”

I try to hold back a sob but can’t. I smile at Elsa with trembling lips. “That’s right, baby.” I close my eyes and fight back the tears.

Kayne’s phone vibrates in his cut breaking the moment Rooster, Elsa and I are in. He reads whatever is sent to him and his face turns to stone. “I hate to break up this reunion, but we’ve got to go,” Kayne speaks in a low and gentle voice. “There’s still a threat out there and we don’t need to be caught with our dic..tionary’s out.”

Elsa giggles when Kayne corrects himself and I smirk. “She’s heard worse.” I shrug.

“But she doesn’t have to anymore,” Kayne growls, causing Elsa to tuck her little face in the crook of my neck.

“I appreciate it.” I acknowledge. “Elsa, baby, we’re going to take a trip. I want you to keep your head tucked into my chest and don’t open your eyes until I tell you to, OK?”

“Ok, mommy.” Elsa tucks her head into my chest and we head toward the stairs. I’m exhausted from all the events but I stay strong.

Kayne and Blayde go up first with their guns drawn. Elsa and I are tucked between Rooster on my left, who has his arm around my back and Ace on my right. Duke and Stryker follow behind us, also holding their guns out. Elsa is getting heavy in my arms as we ascend the stairs but I’m not letting her go. I stop over a body and keep the palm of my hand over Elsa’s face so she can’t see it. Her arms are secured around my neck and her legs are wrapped around my waist.

We make it up four flights of stairs and my legs are burning from carrying the extra weight. Kayne holds up a fist and we all stop moving up the stairwell. My breathing is heavy as I wait for the all clear to move forward. Kayne and Blayde disappear through a door and I hold my breath in anticipation. Rooster rubs soothing motions on my back, helping me stay calm but my heart is pounding against my chest. He pulls me against his chest and kisses the top of my head. His lips linger briefly on my skin and I inhale his scent. I didn’t think I’d get this time with Rooster again and my heart beats hard for other reasons.

I lift my head off Rooster’s chest and stare into his dark eyes. I open my mouth to tell him how I feel when he kisses me. “Not now, Spitfire,” Rooster says when he pulls his lips away from mine. “We’ll have time later.”

“Promise?” I ask.

“Promise. And for the record, I don’t make promises I can’t keep.” Rooster kisses my lips one more time before Kayne and Blayde open the door.

“All clear.” Kayne looks at Rooster and something passes between them. By the subtle nod of Rooster’s head and the tension radiating off all these men, it can’t be good. “Stone is almost here with a ride for Alyssa and Elsa. Keep her head covered and don’t stop for anything.”

“Thank you, Kayne,” I whisper.

“Don’t thank me. It was Rooster who tracked you down.” Kayne dismisses my thanks and turns.

We quickly and quietly follow Kayne out the door and into the lobby. Our shoes squeak on the marble floors and the noise sets my teeth on edge. My heart hammers hard against my chest when I spot more dark figures heading our way. Before I can let out a scream of fright, Rooster settles his finger over my lips, making me catch my breath.

“It’s the rest of the guys that came with us.” He whispers against my head. I nod and squeeze my eyes shut causing tears to fall onto my cheeks. I’ve never been this scared in my entire life. I don’t want Kingston, Kozlov or Steam to capture me again. If they do, I probably won’t live long enough to realize what is happening.

We make it outside and I inhale a deep breath, letting the summer night air intoxicate my lungs. I’m almost out of energy but then Elsa shifts her hold and I dig deep for renewed strength. I can do this, we’re almost out of here. Kayne leads us to a parking garage and I spot their bikes parked in the back on the first floor. A dark SUV with tinted windows sits next to the bikes and Stone steps out. His dark hair hangs into his grey, cold eyes. His whole body is tense and his jaw is clenched tight. He’s the one prospect that scares the crap out of me, but I’d rather have him on my side than against me. I tighten my hold on Elsa and inhale a deep breath.

Stone opens the passenger back door of the SUV and I climb inside with Elsa tucked safely in my lap. “You can open your eyes now, baby. We’re safe.”

Elsa opens her eyes, but she doesn’t move her head off my chest. She’s watching the activity in the garage with rapt attention. Her eyes are tracking Rooster’s every movement. He’s arguing with Kayne and Stone, his hands are moving everywhere. His body is tense and full of agitation. Once they’redone with their little spat, Rooster makes his way over to us. He inhales a deep breath and exhales it through his nose before he opens the door.

A genuine smile graces his lips as he looks from me to Elsa. “Stone is going to drive my ladies back to the Clubhouse and we’re right behind you. Once we get there, please take Elsa directly to my room. We have to get some things in order so she’s comfortable once we get there.”

I raise an eyebrow at Rooster and he winks. “Do you mean you’re actually going to put a lid on the bunnies there? I’d hate to have a repeat from the last time you ran into one.”

“Kind of. There’s going to be new rules put in place and if they don’t like it, I really don’t care. I have the ladies I need in my life.” Rooster leans in and plants a hefty kiss on my lips before he gently kisses the top of Elsa’s head. “I’ll see you at home.” Rooster shuts the door before I can respond. My lips tingle from his kiss and I can’t help but smile.

My man came and rescued me and our daughter.

Rooster sees me.

The car ride back to the Clubhouse was quiet and uneventful. Elsa fell asleep in my lap and I found myself falling asleep a few times on the way. Now that the danger is over, a sense of peace I haven’t felt in a long time overcomes me. Stone stays silent the whole ride and I’m grateful for the reprieve.

He pulls down the long driveway and turns the car off. The rumble of bikes following us sets my heart on fire. I’m so close to being able to tell Rooster my feelings that I’m nervous. The SUV’s door opens and Rooster is standing on the other side. He reaches in silently asking me if he can take Elsa and I nod my head. He lifts her with ease and then holds out his free hand for me to grab. I climb out of the SUV and take his offer. Together, the three of us head up the driveway and into the Clubhouse.

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