Page 18 of Riding Through Life

“What about the girl?” Playboy asks from the backseat. He is still cradling the teenager we rescued. “If our contact is missing, what do we do with her? We were supposed to take her to him.”

“Good point,” Capone commends. “Bring her here and the girls will keep her safe and comfortable. I’ll arrange a room for her and Derange and Jezebelle will look her over.” Capone pauses. “Look, I know this isn’t ideal, but Aftermath, there is nothing you can do right now anyway. What I need you to do is get all four of you back here safely and then we will assess the situation again. Hopefully, by the time you get here, Red will have some answers.” The line goes dead and I scream in frustration.

I should be there looking for my woman, no one else. If I wasn’t such an ass, Kensi wouldn’t be in this situation. I can’t help but shoulder all of the blame.

“We’ll figure it out, brother,” Torch rests a comforting hand on my shoulder. “And when we do, you will beg Kensi for forgiveness and together you’ll handle this shit.”

I pray to the Biker Gods thatTorch is right. I pray things won’t be so irreparable that we don’t stand a chance. For the first time in my life, I pray to a God I never believed in that Kensi comes back to me unharmed.

Chapter

Fourteen

AFTERMATH

We pull into the Clubhouse around midnight and Derange is waiting for us at the door. He hurries over to the SUV with Jezebelle right behind him. He yanks the back passenger side door open before I even have a chance to put it in Park. “How’s she doing? Did she wake up? Is she in pain?” Doctor Derange fires off questions while putting a stethoscope on the young girl's chest andlistening to her lungs. That’s what Capone’s daughter Nina started calling him a few months ago when she decided to become adventurous and jumped off some beams in the house they’re building. I could have sworn Capone’s heart stopped when he heard her scream in pain. She sprained her ankle and wrist, but it could have been much worse if she was higher up. Nina hasn’t done that again, but I imagine over time she will do something like that again. Every time someone is hurt, it’s Derange and Jezebelle that mend them back together.

“She hasn’t woken up since before we got to her. Her breathing is there but shallow and I think whatever drug they gave her, it’s kept her sedated.” Playboy holds up the girl’s arm and shows Derange the track marks. “She also has fresh bruising and blood on the inside of her thighs.” He tucks her arm back inside the blanket to keep her warm.

“Bring her inside and we’ll take it from here. Thank you, Playboy, for keeping her comfortable.” Playboy climbs out of the car and Derange shuts the door. Jezebelle opens the door that leads into the Clubhouse and they disappear out of sight.

I release the breath I didn’t realize I was holding and squeeze my eyes shut. When I open them, Torch is still in the vehicle with me and he squeezes my shoulder. “We’ll find her, Aftermath. Have faith.” Torch climbs out of the SUV and shuts the door behind him. Once he’s out of sight, I get out, shut the door and rest my body against it. Pulling my phone out, I dial Kensi’s number. I know she won’t answer but I have to try something. It rings several times before it goes to voicemail so I leave her a message.

“Tiger, I’m sorry things went the way they did. If I had realized how much of a domino effect this decision made, I would have told you about that chick coming on to me. I didn’t think it was a big deal at the time, but now I see that it was. I’m so sorry for not being upfront and honest. I know I shattered your trust in me, but I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make it up to you. I love you, Kensi. You own my mind, body, heart and soul. It only beats for you and will until my dying breath. Come back to me, please. I’m not whole without you.” I hang up the phone and push back the tears threatening to tumble down my cheeks. Instead, I squeeze my hands into tight fists, the dried blood cracking.

Commotion from the guard shack gathers my attention. Knight and Seth are assigned guard duty when they don’t have something to do for the Club. I hear shouting but I’m too far away to make out voices. Capone and Red come flying out of the Clubhouse with Blayze, Trigger and Torch hot on their heels.

“What the fuck is going on?” I ask. No one answers so I follow behind them. Being the SSA, it’s my duty to protect the club and its members. I’ve been doing a shitty job these last few days. “STOP!” I shout, causing everyone who was moving to slow down. I know I can get my rank pulled but damn it, my Prez needs to let me protect him. “Prez, let me take thelead and do my fucking job. I’m supposed to protect you, not sit back and watch someone shoot your ass and if you want to reprimand me later, I’ll welcome your punishment. Torch and Trigger, you’re with me. Blayze and Capone, stay behind us until we can assess the situation.”

Capone’s nostrils flare, but he knows I’m right. He steps back with Blayze and they fall in behind us. “Knight, what’s going on up there?” I shout as we approach the gates.

“Visitors walking down the road,” Knight shouts back.

“Are you sure they’re not drunk and lost?” I counter.

“Take a look for yourself,” Knight offers with a sweep of his hand once we get to the gates. I shine a flashlight on the two figures and my heart stops beating before picking up the pace again.

“Ouch.” Kensi’s sweet voice echoes through the darkness. “Do you mind asshole?” She shields her eyes from the light. I’m sure she doesn’t know it's me because if she did, more than asshole would have flown from her lips.

“Kensi,” I breathe and she stops in her tracks.

“Aftermath?”

“Yeah, Tiger, it’s me.” I turn to Knight still standing there with a dumb look on his face. “Open the fucking door,” I demand.

Knight jumps and hits the button to roll the gates open. I want to sweep Kensi into my arms and kiss her. But I don’t know whatshe’ll do or how she’ll react. Fuck it.

I approach father and daughter and take Kensi into my arms. Before she can protest, my lips are on hers. She stiffens from my touch, then melts into my arms, kissing me back. I groan against her lips, “God, I’ve missed you.” My breath whispers across her skin.

“I’ve missed you too, but before we go any further we need to talk,” Kensi responds, her fingers clutching onto my cut. I rest my forehead against hers, close my eyes and inhale her sweet scent.

“What happened?” Capone asks standing next to us. I don’t let Kensi move so her dad answers for them.

“I’d rather tell you inside instead of staying out here like sitting ducks. If they realized we escaped and know us, this is the first place they’ll look. I won’t put my daughter through that again.” His blue eyes cut toward me, and I get the innuendo. He won’t let anyone hurt her again unless it’s over his dead body.

“Come on.” Capone motions and we all follow him inside. I keep Kensi tucked under my arm, not letting her get away. The Ol’ Ladies, kids, and bunnies are in bed so we don’t have to worry about anyone bothering us. Once we’re all inside, I notice the bruising and dried blood on the side of Kensi’s head.

“Shit, what happened to you? Are you OK?” I ask, barely touching the side of her forehead. Kensi winces and pulls away.

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