Page 32 of Wildcard's Wager

“Wildcard asked us to check on your neighbor, Abby Carmichael. He said you were concerned about her.”

“Yes, is she okay?”

“We don’t know. She wasn’t home. Someone ransacked her place. Probably the same guys who hit yours. We found some blood, but it wasn’t much. Her car was still in the garage. If someone got to her, would she have information that would lead anyone to you?”

“Yes. She knew about Wildcard. I gave her his information when I went into labor. Just in case something happened to me. I told her I was coming here. What if they hurt her? This is all my fault.” Picturing Abby hurting because of me breaks me.

CHAPTER NINETEEN: WILDCARD

Watching Brigit fall apart is more painful than getting shot. Hell, if it would save her pain, I’d have Preacher shoot me again. But I can’t take her pain. All I can do is give her my strength. My brothers and sister give her the time she needs to pull herself back together. I can feel their compassion like a physical force. I hope Brigit can feel it, too.

Chill hops up and returns with a box of tissues. I take two and press them into Brigit’s hand. She hiccups a few times before wiping her cheeks and her nose. Standing, she walks over to Puma’s desk and throws the tissues into the wastebasket. Turning, she straightens her shoulders and takes a deep breath. A warrior preparing for battle. I’ve never been prouder.

“Can I get you anything? Water?” Spark asks.

“A shot of tequila?” Chill offers.

“Brandy?” Brigit asks.

Spark jumps up. “I’ll go get it.”

“Bring some pretzels,” I shout at his back. He lifts his hand to let me know he’s heard me.

He comes back with a snifter of Brandy, a bag of pretzels, and four beers. It’s coming up on lunch time, so a bit early. But I take the beer and crack it open. This has already been a fucking long day. So, why not?

Brigit takes a few sips of her brandy and I’m happy to see the color returning to her pale skin. Brigit has the pale skin of her Irish heritage, but the blows she’s dealt with today made her appear ghost-like.

“Okay, sorry about that. Abby is like a mother to me. Knowing someone may have hurt her because of me is hard. Abby was the first person I met when Wildcard left me in Boston. She saw Wildcard and his motorcycle. Knew he was a member of a motorcycle club, but she didn’t know which one. I didn’t tell her until later. At first, I only told her I was in hiding, but not who from. When I discovered I was pregnant, she was my rock. She went with me to all my doctor appointments and she helped me prepare for Colt’s arrival. When I went into labor, I panicked. I kept imagining worse-case scenarios. I told Abby about Wildcard. Asked her to reach out to you if something happened to me. She knew your real name, your road name, and the club’s name.”

“So, if they questioned her, they likely know you came here?” Chill asks.

Brigit nods. “I’m sorry. She was watching Colt the morning of Mike’s murder. I told her to leave because I was afraid Misha and his men would come looking for me. She must not have left soon enough.”

“Or she didn’t plan on leaving. She might have thought you overreacted,” Havoc says. “You can’t blame yourself.”

Brigit sighs and leans into me. “Easier said than done.”

A knock on the door keeps anyone from responding.

“Enter!” Bellows Puma. We chuckle as Havoc curses about warning a guy before trying to blow out his eardrums.

Viper opens the door and steps in. The look on her face has us all tensing.

“What’s wrong?” Puma asks.

“Rafe just called and is on his way here. He’s not alone. He’s got a detective from the Boston PD with him. The detective claims that we’re hiding a fugitive wanted for murder in Boston.”

“Shit,” I mutter.

“Panic room. Get Brigit and Colt in there. Hell, put all the kids in there. We don’t want them exposed,” Puma orders. “Get Hunter to go in with them.” Chill nods and rushes out.

I help Brigit stand and take her hand. “Let’s go find Colt and get you somewhere safe. No one can get you in the panic room. Even if they have a warrant. Rafe doesn’t know where it is. He doesn’t want to know, for situations like this one,” I explain as I lead her through the common room and down the hallway to the entertainment center. As I hoped, Colt and the rest of the kids are already there. Hunter opens the panic room and ushers everyone inside. I kiss Brigit before letting her go.

“My stuff!” Brigit says, before Hunter can close the door. “My driver’s license and wallet are in your room.”

“Shit, you’re right. Hold on.” I rush into my room and grab Brigit’s purse and duffle bag. After making a second stop to grab Colt’s things, I rush back into the entertainment room and toss Hunter the bags. After he closes the door, Chill and I toss a few floor pillows against the wall. Chill turns off the light as we leave the room. We take seats at the table with Puma and Dice. They have a deck of cards on the table and piles of chips in front of each of chair. I sit across from Puma, facing the door.

“Where’s Preacher?”

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