I immediately dial my woman but get sent straight to voice mail. I stare at East who is glaring back at me. “What the fuck happened?”
East punches the wall next to my head. “We’re too fucking late. Grudge and Ruthie disarmed the alarm on the cabin. Took Alexa and the baby at gunpoint.”
Goosebumps fan up and down both my arms. “God damn I’m going to kill them.”
“Not if I get to them first,” East growls.
“Prospect,” I roar, and Rio comes running. “Get me Hound and Sandman now.” He shoots down the hall at my order. “You go to Wylla and get as much information as you can. I’m going tracking.”
“I’m coming with you.”
“Best place for you is taking care of my daughter.”
“They got my kid.”
“That kid is my granddaughter and they have Alexa. If I don’t get to her, they’ll kill her without a thought. Ruthie’s a fucking cunt but she won’t hurt a baby.”
“I shouldn’t have to choose between my wife and my daughter.”
“No man should.” Ruthie’s good at fucking forcing it. I’m going to kill the bitch. Hound and Sandman come charging back down the hall. “Sandman, you’re with East. He’ll fill you in. Hound, brother, let’s go hunting.” I grab East by the shoulder. “Don’t do anything stupid. I’ll bring them both home. Don’t worry. Just take care of my daughter and I’ll take care of yours.”
He gives me a nod. I hope he doesn’t go rogue, but I’ve got more important shit to think about it. Like all the ways I’m going to torture Ruthie and Grudge.
First, I’m going to tear off her fingernails with pliers then dip the raw bloody appendages in salt while Grudge listens to her scream. I want her to beg. Want her to suffer. Then I’ll cut out her lying tongue and traitorous heart. Fry them up and feed them to the piece of shit who betrayed me and this club. I’ll force him to swallow every last fucking bite. His death will be slow. Gonna bury him and Ruthie with their beloved Lion. The three of them can rot in hell together forever.
I climb on my Harley and roar out the lot with Hound, East, and Sandman. Grudge used to spend his downtime at his grandpa’s cabin. It’s the first place I’m checking. Should’ve brought a cage because of the baby but my bike is faster. The sooner I find them the quicker I get to put a stop to Ruthie for good. The world will be a better place without her in it. I’ve given her one too many chances. She’s made a fool of me for the last time.
Chapter Thirty-five
“I think I’m gonna lay down too.” Wylla Mae lets out a yawn as she places Mila in her crib.
“Get some sleep. I’m gonna finish those dishes up I spotted in the sink and put that roast I brought over in the crockpot for you and East to enjoy later. I know the last thing either of you want to do is cook.”
“Thanks, Mom.” She shuffles clumsily toward her bed and falls face down.
“You rest. If the baby wakes up, I’ll get her. I’ll take the monitor downstairs.”
Whatever she replies comes out muffled as she turns to her side and snuggles in the blankets. I switch off the light and pad down the stairs quietly. It’s hard to believe my baby has a baby of her own. She’s married and has her own life. I’m just grateful I get to be a part of it all. We had some rough months, but we’re in a good place now. Everything is finally as it should be. I have James and Wylla Mae has her Easton Reed and Mila Rochelle.
I start in the living room picking up odds and ends that have been left out. Stuff for the baby mostly. I pack it away in one of Wylla Mae’s many diaper bags. She has the one in my hand, one upstairs, one in East’s truck, another in her jeep, and finally there is one in my car. Mila will never be without no matter who she is with. No one will ever be loved more than this child. She’s the shining star we all need. Our hope for better days.
Setting the baby monitor on the kitchen counter, I switch it on, and give the screen a quick glance. Mila wears a sleep grin on her cute little face. I pull the crockpot from one of the cabinets and grab the roast and veggies from the fridge. With the terrible schedule they’ve been on since they came home from the hospital the last thing a couple with a new baby needs to worry about is what’s for dinner. I planned ahead and pre-cut the veggies. I wanted to make it as easy as possible for Wylla Mae but she’s exhausted. I know I wasn’t always the best mom. I’m hoping to make up for it now. By being here and doing the little things I wish someone had done for me when I was a young mother trying to juggle it all. This isn’t the path I would have chosen for her. East isn’t exactly the man I had pictured for a son-in-law considering our past. Somehow though he turned out to be the perfect man for my daughter, and in the end that’s all a mother can hope for.
The lights flicker off and on a few times. I don’t think there’s much wind or that we are expecting bad weather. I shrug it off and start the dishwater. Suddenly the front door blows open and Grudge struts in with Ruthie hot on his heels. “Don’t fucking move,” he snaps, pointing a shotgun at me.
“What the hell are you doing here?”
“We’re here for the baby and you.” His top lip curls and he shoots me a wink. I don’t know if it’s meant to make me feel better or if he’s just a disgusting old pig. I’m thinking a filthy old fart. I never have liked the way he looks at me with his knowing beady little eyes and narrow nose. The man was never a looker, but he hasn’t aged well at all.
“You don’t want to do this. You know Murder will kill you.”
“Or maybe I’ll kill him and take my rightful place at the head of the club. That Prez patch shoulda been mine.” He jabs a finger in his chest.
“Don’t be stupid, Alexa. We both always wanted the same thing. To be the Prez’s Old Lady. You may have finally gotten your hooks into James, but I got the better man,” Ruthie says coming further into the house. I shudder at the thought of her and Grudge sleeping together.
“Are you stupid? James never loved you. He pitied you. Felt sorry for you. The only reason we weren’t together was because of you.”
“Don’t piss me off, pretty girl,” she mocks the way James talks to me. “James owes me a baby, and I’m here to collect.” She picks up the diaper bag on the coffee able and slides the strap up her arm.