Page 30 of Reaping Havoc
With my monster in complete control, I cracked my neck. My gaze swept over my club brothers, who all took a step back in deference. Even Grim dipped his chin, acknowledging the demonic being who now stood ready to slaughter those who had wronged his brother, his family, and his club.
He would find our daughter and bring her back to Nylah unharmed.
Grim gestured to the exit. “After you.”
“Who will stay with Chrome?” He couldn’t be left alone. Not now.
“I will,” Shadow offered.
Hannibal, Bones, and Wraith remained at the hospital to ensure nothing else took us by surprise.
I walked to my brother, hugged him close, promised vengeance, and left the building with my brethren at my side. We rode for hours, tracking anything that might lead us to my daughter. Her light, baby powder scent teased my nostrils, but I didn’t find her.
Defeat nearly brought me to my knees. How could I return to my lifeblood without her child? How could I face her when I failed?
I swerved my bike and stopped on the side of the road on Hwy 95. I wasn’t alone. The others joined me, one by one. Engines ceased to rumble, and Reapers gave silent support.
Pain slashed at my body like a killer’s brutal blade. I hadn’t felt this level of agony since my sister Willow’s brutal rape and murder. It stole the breath from my lungs and brought me to my knees. I hunched over, slapping my palms on the desert’s dry sand, nearly retching with bile.
How did I let this happen?
“You didn’t,” Grim growled. “Stop blaming yourself, Rael.”
“I failed her.”
He didn’t understand who I meant. “We’ll get your baby girl back. I swear it.”
“My Nylah,” I choked. “I don’t have our baby to bring home.”
“She’ll understand. You aren’t to blame. We all stood outside that hospital room and didn’t notice our enemy had come so close.”
I shook my head. Excuses didn’t change the truth. “No!” I roared. “Not good enough!”
Grim yanked me to my feet and shoved his face close to mine. “You listen to me, you stubborn asshole. This isn’t just on you. We’re all carrying this burden, Rael. Every one of your brothers is feeling the same guilt, horror, and helplessness. See it for yourself.”
I turned my head, fighting tears as Grim’s words proved true. Every one of my brothers looked miserable. They were fighting this devastation and loss just as heavily as me and Chrome.
Chrome. His Cameron.
Fuck!
I shouted out my frustration, hollering for the fucking one responsible for it. “Lucifer fucking Morningstar! Bring back my daughter and Cameron. I know you can do it, you sick bastard!”
Silence greeted us.
“Of course, you don’t have the balls to show up right now,” I challenged.
Still nothing.
Either Lucifer didn’t care, or he had something else on the agenda. I didn’t give a fuck which one it was, I just wanted him to pay for this. To answer for it. Our Reapers were pissed, and he seemed like the most available target for our fury.
When the silence stretched on, I thought of my boys. My twins. They needed me, and I needed to feel them close, to know they were still breathing and safe.
I didn’t say shit as I hopped on my bike and rode home. Of course, I had an entourage. I parked on the driveway and shut down my bike, holding in the emotion that threatened to consume me.
As I stepped up the stairs on the porch and opened the front door, my boys greeted me. Gavin and Gage rushed me like they already knew I was coming. They dressed in Batman capes, rain boots, and held their Nerf guns. Gage had tied his plastic swordaround his waist. Gavin shoved a small white plastic pistol into the top of his underwear.
“Daddy!”
