Page 34 of Finding Solace
"I'm Reid; it's nice to finally meet you, ma'am. My girl has told me so much about you," he introduces himself taking my grandmother's hand and kissing the back ofit.
"Looks and charm. You hit the jackpot with this one, Mila," Grams says. "Tell me something young man, are you taking good care of mygranddaughter?"
"Grams, how do you know we're together, he could just be afriend."
"I may be an old woman, Mila, but I'm not stupid. I see it in your eyes and his as well. You're more than friends. Am I right?" she asks quirking her eyebrow, and it's Reid thatanswers.
"You would be correct ma'am. Mila is mine, and so is Ava. I plan on taking care of themboth."
Over the next couple of hours, Reid and I continue to sit and talk with Grams, and she even talks him into playing a couple games of cards. I fall deeper in love with the man as I watch him interact with the woman who means the world to me. When it is finally time to leave, I watch as Grams ushers Reid forward for a hug and I don't miss her whispering something into his ear before he then looks at her with a warm smile and nods his head.I wonder what that wasabout.
"Thank you for being so kind to my grandmother," I tell Reid on our way out of the nursing home. Stopping in front of his bike, he turns to me and grabs my hips bringing me closer tohim.
"No need to thank me, Kitten. She's important to you, so she's important to me." Encircling my arms around his waist, I lay my head on hischest.
"You're too good to me. How did I get solucky?"
Reid rests his cheek on top of my head, "I'm the lucky one,babe."
Riding on the back of Reid's bike on the way to the courthouse, my nerves are a jumbled mess. Reid has assured me everything will work out, but my parents are ruthless lawyers. I've witnessed them in court a handful of times growing up. I can only hope the judge today is not impressed with the Vaughn's and theirreputation.
As Reid turns the corner and the courthouse comes into view, I become overwhelmed at the sight ahead of us. Parked in front of the building is a row of at least fifteen bikes, and the thing that stands out the most are the men wearing cuts. Reid's brothers; his family. When Reid parks his bike next to Jake's, I unfold myself from his back and climboff.
"Prez," Reid acknowledges Jake with anod.
"What is everyone doing here?" I ask to no one in particular, and it's Jake, the man Reid calls his President, who answers myquestion.
"You belong to Reid; therefore, you belong to the club. You're family now, and we take care of our own. That includes our support." Looking around at the men standing in front of me, I see Logan, Gabriel, Quinn, Doc, Austin, Blake, and several other club members. None of these men know me very well, yet here theyare.
"Thank you," I manage to choke out past my sudden overwhelmingemotion.
"Come on, Kitten," Reid's gentle voice whispers into the shell of my ear as he pulls me to his side and leads me into the courthouse. Across the lobby, we spot River talking to a man in a suit who looks to be in his earlythirties.
"That's the lead investigator. The one I was telling you about. He and his partner flew in from New York as soon as River contacted them." Reid informs me just before we step up to the man inquestion.
"Special Agent Holden, this is Mila Vaughn and Reid Carter," River introduces us both. Reid and I both shake hands with him, but it is Reid who speaksfirst.
"We appreciate you coming all this way on such shortnotice."
By the look on Agent Holden's face after taking in Reid's cut and then looking over our shoulders and through the window of the courthouse at the slew of bikers outside, I can sense he's not sure what to make ofus.
"So, what's the plan?" I asked breaking thetension.
"We're waiting for the Vaughn's to show. Once they do, they'll be taken into custody. I've already spoken to the judge. In lieu of the findings against your parents, the judge has decided to drop your case and the suit they have against you. The situation is pretty cut and dry. Evidence shows Richard and Susan Vaughn came after you out of desperation." Agent Holden tellsus.
"See, Kitten; I told you I'd take care ofeverything. "
Letting out a deep breath of relief, I feel all the tension my body was holding hostage leave. "So, that's it? Just like that?" I ask, needing final clarification. This time it is Reid whoanswers.
"Yeah, babe, it's over. Your parents can't hurt you, Ava, or Gramsanymore."
No sooner do those words leave Reid's lips when a frantic Bella comes rushing through the doors of the lobby with a wild looking Logan on her heels. From the moment Bella's eyes meet mine, I know the statement Reid just made couldn't be farther from the truth. I know in my gut what Bella is about to tell me is going to fuck me up. I can feel it with everything I am. So, when my friend rushes up to me with a tear streaked face and the look of horror in her eyes, she delivers the blow. Two words, that's all it takes to bring my world crashingdown.
"Ava'smissing."
And there it is, because my daughter is my world, my reason for being. From this moment, everything happens in slowmotion.
"What the fuck you talkin' about Ava's missing?" Reid shouts. "She's atpreschool."
