Page 12 of Seized By Solo

“Elsie, this shit is real,” Dutch speaks up, looking from the kids to me, making my heart shiver in my chest.

“I know that, Dutch.” I keep my voice even for the kids’ sake. “Their safety will always come first, but I have to think of their wellbeing also. Their short lives have been filled with fear and pain.” My chest hurts thinking about what they had to endure day in and day out all because I was too weak to leave. “I’m not saying that we won’t stay here, but being asked in the beginning is not a lot to ask for. As for Solo being Solo and all his beastly biker attitude, if he wants us to stick around, then he will have to think before he speaks and ask for something, not just demand and assume that I will do as he says. I have done that enough in my life.” My voice cracks by the time I’m finished.

The room is quiet, and my heart beats like crazy in my chest. My nose stings from tears building. I chance a look at Ruthie and Ricky. They are both looking at me with sad faces. They understood everything that was said.

Of course they did. They are not stupid kids.

Time ticks by and I start to feel more and more awkward and ungrateful for my outburst, but I stand strong and don’t apologise. I have to stand my ground on things, and being asked for something and not told is one of them.

“She got you there, babe,” Una says, tapping Dutch on the chest.

“She more than got you, brother. Fuck me, remind me to never piss you off, Els. You have a sharp tongue, lovely. Which my brother will love and hate.” Kink winks at me.

Kink’s comment breaks the tension in the room, making everyone laugh, including my kids. Though I have no doubt they do not fully understand his comment.

“I’m sorry, Els. I get where you’re coming from and I will have a talk with my brother. Try and make him see things from a different perspective,” Dutch says, and I smile at him.

“Thank you. I really do appreciate being here, and you all keeping us safe.”

“A friend of mine is a teacher and I am sure the kids in her class are around Ruthie and Ricky’s age. Maybe I can ask if they can go to her school temporarily, or maybe she can arrange some work to be sent home from their actual school. I’m not sure how it works,” Adele suggests.

“I will phone the school and explain and see what they offer. They break up for the summer holidays in three weeks, so they might say leave the work until next term, or email me some things they need to cover. I will also call work, and hopefully they keep my job for me.” She nods to me.

My gaze slides to Dutch, who is looking at Kink, then Pres. A silent conversation passes between the three men. It unsettles my tummy, but I leave it for now. I will speak to Kane later.

“Una, how are you feeling?” I ask, reaching for a muffin that sits in the basket at the centre of the table.

“I’m good.” Her face brightens. “Not much morning sickness, so that’s a plus. We have a doctor’s appointment to clear me so we can fly to Florida soon. I’m excited to visit America.”

“Oh, exciting. I’d love to take the kids to Disneyworld, in Orlando. They would love it.”

“You would, too, going by the look on your face,” Adele calls out.

“Oh, definitely,” I laugh. “Watching Disney films with the kids was always an escape. It gave me a weird sense of calmness when I watched one. Seeing these little cartoon characters overcome certain trouble and come out stronger... They gave me hope.” I can hear the tremor in my voice.

A rough hand settles over mine, and I look to the side to see Tag crouching down next to me, a smile on his older, handsome face.

“There is fuck all wrong with wanting hope and peace, Elsie, honey. Maybe one day, you will get both and be happy. I just hope, for my son’s sake, that you get it here.”

He pushes to his feet, whistling for the boys to follow him as he leaves, but not before stopping and kissing his woman thoroughly, making me blush. Damn, the older man has game. No wonder Kane, Dutch and Kink turned out the way they did.

Holy hotness.

Nadine winks at her man, then he leaves.

My heart fills with the hope we just talked about. Maybe I can have what they have one day. We will just take one day at a time.

CHAPTER SEVEN

SOLO

Leaving the clubhouse this morning without seeing Elsie and the kids left a shitty feeling in my gut, but I needed today to hunt that fucker down who dared threaten her and the kids.

Tracer and Shift are with me as we ride to the next town over to meet up with my untrustworthy contact. The fucker had better not piss me off today. I’m already in a shitty mood thanks to not seeing my girl, so he had better have what I want from him.

Last night, I slept like shit. It was like my body was waiting for Elsie to call, or the kids to need me. As soon as I woke up, I got my brothers out of bed and told them to follow me, leaving my newfound family with my blood family, knowing they will be taken care of.

We pull over at a local pub, but stay mounted on our bikes. I remove my helmet, and Tracer and Shift follow suit.

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