Lake steps up behind me, and I lean into his embrace.
“Are you okay?” he asks.
“No, not really. I can’t believe what those poor women went through. They’re lucky you found them.” I look around for cops before continuing. “Why didn’t you just kill them?”
Lake chuckles before kissing the top of my head. “Can’t say we didn’t consider it. They forced Marcia to deliver more than one baby. Those assholes have the answers. They won’t find jail a pleasant experience.”
“Will they go to prison? Our court system doesn’t often prosecute white men, wealthy white men. They can barter their freedom for the location of those babies.”
“If that happens, then we’ll deliver our form of justice,” he promises me.
“Good,” I say, turning to snuggle into his chest. I just get comfortable when his phone rings.
“Yeah,” he says. He still has one arm around me, so I feel it when he stiffens. I shift to look up at his face. “When? Has he said who attacked him? Why the hell is he waiting? Okay, that’s fine. I’m on my way.”
“Was that about your dad?”
“Coyote woke up. I need to call Toff and get to the hospital.”
“I want to go with you,” I tell him.
He leans his head against mine. “Thank god because I need you with me. Could you do me a favor and tell Rey that Toff will call her later?” He checks his watch. “They planned on meeting at eight, which is only a few hours away. I need to tell Hex that we’re taking off.”
While Lake goes to tell Hex, I search for Rey and find her talking with her brother.
“This is fucking bizarre,” Rey says when I reach her. “This is where they would have taken me. I don’t think I can ever repay you for rescuing me.”
“Same,” Detective Montague says, smiling at me as he pulls his sister close.
“Does that mean we can go?” I ask the detective. “Lake got a call from the hospital. Coyote woke up and asked to see him and Toff. Lake’s reaching out to Toff and expects he’ll be going, too. He’ll need to postpone his meeting with you.”
“That’s okay. I have other cases that I’m working on. Have Toff call me, and we’ll set up a meeting. Maybe I can visit the hospital later and talk with them.”
“I might have more questions for you and the club. Yes, I know who they are—the Demon Dawgs. I’ve seen them around town. We have to keep an eye out for those who could cause problems. However, in this case, they did good.”
I smile my thanks. “I’ll let them know you will reach out. They’re good men. All of them.”
Returning to Lake, he helps me get into the SUV. “Detective Montague wants to talk to you later. He said he’ll have more questions. He also knows you’re the Demon Dawgs.”
Hex, who is sitting in the front seat, nods. “I thought he might.”
I expect the guys to stop at the clubhouse, but Jack keeps driving. “Are they coming with us?” I ask Lake. “What about Toff?”
“Toff will meet us there. He went to pick up Annette.”
Lake says nothing more about why Hex and the others are coming with us, but I can figure it out. Once he gives them a name, the club will help Lake track down Coyote’s attacker.
We enter the lobby, where Lake and I break off to take the elevator to Coyote’s floor. When we exit the elevator, Lake takes off at a run. I’m confused until I see Colin lying on the floor outside Coyote’s room. I drop down beside him while Lake shoves into Coyote’s room. I hear scuffling and consider running downstairs to get Hex and the others, but the elevator door opens, and Toff steps out.
“Lake’s in Coyote’s room; help him,” I shout at Toff, who rushes inside while Annette drops across from me.
“Someone knocked him out,” I say unnecessarily, considering the blood on the back of his skull.
“Where is everyone?” Annette asks, just as a doctor and nurse turn the corner. They come over to help, letting me check on Lake and his family.
Inside Coyote’s room, I find Colin’s brother, Danny, unconscious on the floor. Stepping outside, I tell the doctor that he has another patient. Annette leaves Colin in their hands and joins us.
Lake shoves Crow against the wall, his hand behind his back. Toff pulls a thick zip tie from Lake’s pocket and hands it to him.