Page 127 of Wicked Ends
“Wait! Are you okay? What’s going on?”
I went to answer and then the phone fell, right as a sharp object poked into the back of my head.
“Put your hands where I can see them,” a voice whispered behind me.
I glanced down, seeing the phone call still connected. Ari’s tiny voice was still shouting from the speaker. I brought my hands up slowly. The figure behind me stepped around the front, accidentally stepping on the phone and ending the call.
But it wasn’t some big stomping boot like I’d feared it might be. It was a small shoe, dainty even.
A bright-red Mary Jane.
A little girl pointed a stick at me. “Who are you and why are you here? Is this your house?”
I let out the breath I was holding and shook my head. “No, it’s not my place, but I’m here to see your mom, Claire. That’s your mommy, isn’t it?”
The girl stared at me distrustfully. “My daddy is here. He sent me out to play, but I’m cold, and it’s dark and scary in the garden.”
I nodded and slipped off my cut. It would drown an seven-year-old girl, but it was better than nothing.
“Here, take this.”
She stepped closer, and I threaded her arms through the jacket. She snuggled inside then sighed.
“What do you want with my mommy?” she asked.
“I’ve got a message for her, and your daddy, too. It’s from Aunt Arianna.” It was a risk to take, that saying Ari’s name would relax her niece, but it seemed to do the trick.
“Auntie Arianna is here?” the girl—Lulu, I remembered her name was—immediately echoed, her eyes lighting up.
“She’s on her way. I came first to make sure you and your mommy are okay.”
There was another loud bang from the house, so loud it might have been a gunshot. The Hounds had entered the building. It didn’t matter if Dale had a gun. What could he do against twenty angry bikers?
“I have to go and see what’s happening now. Can you stay here for me?”
Lulu nodded slowly.
“I’ll send your mommy out to sit with you, okay?”
She nodded again, and I pinched her cheek. Christ, she was cute. I wanted one, or five, with Ari. She’d be a fucking phenomenalmother. Together, we’d be a real family, parents like my brother and I never had the chance to know.
I turned from Lulu and started toward the building. As I drew closer, the door flew open and a dark shape jumped out, racing away. Maddox appeared behind him.
“I got it!” I called and flung an arm out at the racing man’s neck.
He smacked into my arm and went airborne for a second, collapsing onto the ground.
“Nice save,” Maddox chuckled and made his way toward us.
“Lulu!” a female voice screamed, and then the woman who had to be Claire ran past us all and grabbed her child tightly, hugging her hard.
“We don’t want to keep them waiting long,” Maddox remarked, watching the tearful hug between mother and daughter.
“I’ll make it quick.” I grabbed Dale by the back of his collar and leaned down.
“Remember me?” I looked him in the eye.
Fear radiated from the man. Wasn’t it always the way that the ones who beat on women and children were the most afraid of all?
