Before I could wrap my hands around his neck, something pricked my neck, and everything went black. Falling to the ground, several arms caught me, and the last thing I heard before the darkness took me was, “We will find him, Player. If it’s the last thing, we do. We will find him.”
I woke sometime later to find myself in the club's infirmary in the basement with Healer. It was like a mini-emergency room, and with all the injuries we all got, it came in handy on more than one occasion.
Looking around the room, I saw a couple of my brothers still healing from injuries they sustained when we rescued Layla some weeks ago.
God, that felt like a lifetime ago.
So much had happened since that day.
So many secrets had been unleashed.
Sitting up, I rubbed my eyes, trying to get them to focus.
“You lose your shit again and I will keep you sedated forever.”
“Hello to you too, Healer,” I moaned, looking at the grumpy doctor. I didn’t know much about Healer or his brother Judge for that matter, only that they were here when I got here. Healer never left the infirmary unless he was volunteering at the local hospital. He never dated. In fact, I’ve never seen him with a woman. Then again, his cordial attitude didn’t leave much to be desired.
“Reaper wants your ass in Church. There are fresh clothes for you at the end of your bed.”
Nodding, I said nothing more as I quickly got changed. I was still a little groggy, and my head still felt as if I was floating, but I was standing up on my own.
I headed upstairs for Church, and when I entered, I saw that the room was packed full. Brothers I hadn’t seen in months were present and all looking at me.
“Come in, Player. Take a seat,” Ghost ordered as he looked at a file before him. Doing as he said, I stayed quiet as everyone quietly talked.
“I don’t care, woman! You will stay there till I come to get you. I know you want to come home. I want you home too, but it's not safe. Yes, I know you are carrying my kid. Yes, I want to be there when she’s born. Hey! The doc never said what we’re having. If I want to think it’s a girl, I can. No, you can’t talk to Ghost. He agrees with me. You girls need to stay safe. I promise, Remi. As soon as it’s safe, we will come to get you. Because I’m not seven months pregnant, woman! Jesus’ woman, you are starting to piss me off!” Reaper shouted, then looked at his phone. Quickly putting it back to his ear, he said, “Hello?”
When nothing happened, he looked at Ghost and said, “She hung up on me.”
Ghost chuckled, “I would have too. You were being an asshole.”
“Shut up, Ghost. Alright, everyone, sit the fuck down and shut up. Let’s get this meeting over. I need to call my woman back and let her know she can’t talk to me that way.”
“You mean beg for forgiveness,” Ghost muttered loud enough for the room to hear as we all laughed.
“How is it you don’t have a problem with Ari?”
“Because my woman knows her place,” Ghost grinned.
“I’ll make sure to tell her you said just that,” Reaper grinned as Ghost flipped him the one-finger bird. Slamming the wooden skull gavel down on the table, bringing the meeting to order, Reaper grinned, “All right, we have several things to talk about, but let’s get the other shit out of the way before we get to the real problem. Phantom?”
“Okay, boys, as much as I missed you, I really miss Denver more. Anyway, like the boss said, we have several things to go over. First off, I am happy to report that Matrix and Samuel have been reunited and are happy.”
The room erupted in cheers as everyone slapped their hands on the table.
“Little Sammy is doing well. He wasn’t harmed during his captivity, and from what the pediatrician has said, he was well taken care of, thanks to Player's woman, Catarina. As for Matrix, he is taking some time off to get reacquainted with his son. He will still be available by webchat when needed, but he’s asked for privacy for the time being. So, hold off calling and sending gifts to our newest family member. Vicious, you’re up.”
The man cleared his throat and began, “As most of you know, me, Bayou and Hammer were sent to the Florida Chapter to stop a trafficking sale. What we found was a nightmare, Reaper. That sale was auctioning off kids. I’m talking babies, man. We managed to stop the sale and rescue all the kids, and thanks to the Miami PD, those kids are in the process of being reunited with their families. However, the mastermind behind the sale got away.”
“Any ideas on who that was?” Ghost asked.
“I thought it was the Collector at first. The setup was his jam, but after seeing everything, I think we have another asshole to contend with, and my gut is telling me it’s a woman.”
“Why do you think that?” Reaper asked.
“The kids were well taken care of. They were clean, well-fed and the rooms they were in were decorated. If I didn’t know any better, a woman designed every damn room. Those kids, though taken from their parents, were well fed, clean, looked after, and protected.”
“That’s not how the Collector works,” Phantom said, looking at Reaper, who nodded. “Phantom, do some more digging on that sale. Find out everything you can. What else?”