Falling For The Biker: The Vice President's Girl Chapter 127

Ezra

My fist cracks again across Tristan's jaw, and he sputters, sagging in Torch's arms.

"EJ, that's enough," Torch says. You're going to kill him."

I crack my bloody knuckles. "That's the fucking point."

"We need him alive if we're going to get Wren back safely."

Right. Tristan's going to be our fucking bait. If the Smitties MC need Tristan, they'll just have to give me Wren.

My jaw ticks as I stare at Tristan's bloody face, head bowed slightly as he's held up by Torch.

When I jerk my chin at Torch, he lets go. Tristan drops to the floor like a groaning sac of potatoes. His eyes are nearly swollen shut.

"Take a picture," I instruct.

Torch clicks it and we head out of the basement. It's almost seven a.m. and still no word from AJ.

Ray's been texting since five, but I had to hold him off while we wait for Clay, Rivers, Monty—Craig's biker, and others.

The moment we head downstairs, I hear the front door open.

I need to fucking change that password.

I've been too occupied since I came back from Beth's, but I shove the reminder to the back of my mind for later.

Right now, there's things to do and places to be.

"VP!" Clay nods at me, and I shake him, pulling him into a man hug.

"Thank you for coming, man."

"Of course, always." He pats my back. "The rest are outside. We can head over to Ray's while we wait for any information you might have."

Torch nods at me, and we file out, locking the doors.

Sure enough, a total of ten bikers are on their motorcycles, dressed in nothing but leather. Leather vests, leather pants, leather fingerless gloves.

"Hello everyone!" I lift a hand up in a small wave. "Thank you fur coming. We're heading over to Ray's, so just follow closely behind the car." Then, I turn to Torch. "You're riding with me."

He nods and gets in. And soon, we're speeding towards Ray's.

***

"Any news?" Ray asks the second he opens the door.

I frown. "Good morning, Ray."

"There's nothing good about this morning. Any news?"

I sigh. "Not yet."

When the door opens wider, we all walk in and a small coo stops me in my tracks. There, in her bassinet is the prettiest little baby I've ever seen.

She has a full head of ginger hair and big brown eyes wide open, a pacifier in her mouth.

Torch immediately gets over and picks her up, cooing. "Little MaryAnne." He nuzzles her face and her little lips wobble.

"Oh no no no, don't cry, please." His eyes widen as he quickly rocks her, begging her not to cry even when her eyes fill up and the pacifier falls from her mouth.

And then, she screams. A loud, piercing cry that has my hands itching to hold her.

"Where's Quincy?" I ask.

Ray sighs and takes the screaming baby. "Still asleep."

"Okay."

I watch him rock her, but she doesn't stop crying. I want to hold her, to help—not only because I experienced this with Hannah—but I shove my hands into my pockets.

Eyes burn the back of my neck and I turn to see Clay, Torch and Rivers staring at me. They jerk their chins in Ray's direction, and my lips pull downward.

Ignoring them, I clear my throat. "So Clay, is there anything you can do to—"

"Let me calm the baby first, EJ," Ray says. "I don't want to be distracted."

"Have you fed her?"

He points to the empty bottles on the sofa. "Clearly."

"Right," I mumble. "Diaper change?"

"Did that few minutes before you walked in."

"Okay."

It's awkward. So fucking awkward—at least on my part. I don't want to say the wrong thing, or do the wrong thing, especially not after that statement he made last night.

I feel like we're all on pins and needles, waiting for AJ's text. Waiting for the information we so badly need.

So when Ray looks at me and holds the screaming baby out, saying, "Would you want to hold…her?"

Relief floods my body and I nod once. Not wanting to seem so eager.

"Here."

The moment he places MaryAnne in my arms, she stops crying. Instead, she gazes up at me, eyes wide.

"Hi Annie," I breathe.

"That's what Wren calls her."

I look up at him. "Oh, I didn't…I wouldn't …"

Why the hell am I so nervous? My heart's pounding, stomach twisting.

"It's fine. You're good."

"VP's got magic hands," Clay whispers.

From the corner of my eye, I see Ray flinch and I glare at Clay, almost decking him for that title.

And then Quincy steps out. A blanket draped over her body, and dragging on the floor. Her eyes are blood shot, nose red.

"Jesus, Quincy. You look like hell."

She cracks a tired smile. "Thanks a lot for that compliment, Ezra."

Ray's jaw drops and he strides towards her. "Babe? Are you okay?"

"I don't feel too good." She collapses on him and he picks her up effortlessly, placing her on the long sofa.

"You're burning up."

"I'll be fine." She looks up at me. "Look how she's staring up at you, she's in love with you."

Ray frowns. "No, she isn't. We don't want another Carlisle in love with you. Been there, and I hate it."

"I…your baby's not in love with me, Ray," I sigh. "She's just a little sleepy, look."

He does.

Little MaryAnne's eyes are droopy, lips tilting up slightly for only a moment. Ray puts the pacifier back in her mouth.

He pushes her little strands of hair away from her forehead, and she squirms in my arms before settling again. And he watches her.

Quincy gives me a sleepy smile, her own eyes fluttering close.

Maryanne looks like Ray but when she's sleeping, she's definitely like her momma.

"Ray," I murmur. "Can we talk? Please?"

His eyes harden. "No, we cannot talk."

"Come on, Ray. Haven't you tortured me enough?"

Torch suddenly stands to his feet. "How are you both so calm? It's what? Past eight and still no word?"

Calm? I'm anything but calm. My mind hasn't stopped thinking about Wren. If she's good, if she's safe.

"Do you trust your source?" Clay asks.

"I trust my brother," I reply.

Clay blinks. "Your brother?"

"You've met my sister and my daughter during Quincy's baby shower, right?" He nods. "I have a younger brother too, and he's been our informant."

"Damn. There's a lot we don't know about you, huh?" He whistles. "Okay then, as long as you trust him."

"But what if they've caught him?" Torch asks.

My stomach sinks. I hadn't thought of that. What if they—

My phone vibrates in my pocket and Ray takes Quincy from me, placing her in the bassinet.

When I see the text from AJ, I breathe.

AJ: We're at the warehouse down at Mayers, I'll share my location. Everyone present is armed and we're a total of fifteen men excluding Lydia, and Reginald.

There's four that'd be on patrol, and two guarding the doors. Also, your lady says you should be careful and if anything happens, she loves you very much.

Although I've assured her nothing will happen to her. This will be my last text to you, Ezzy. Be safe, and when it's time to defend you…I will.

"He's fine," I say, swallowing the lump in my throat. "He just texted with the location and the amount of men they have on standby."

"Let me have the location." Clay takes out his laptop.

Rivers joins him. "I'll call Kendall."

"Kendall?" Ray lifts a brow.

"Yea," I say. "Everyone at the clubhouse is waiting. We're all in this together, and if we need anyone, they're just a call away. Kendall's going to access the location."

His head tilts. "You planned it?"

"I did…For Wren."

"Hm."

"Is there a problem?"

"None at all," he replies. "Can I have a word, Ezra?"

God no. This is not the time for a word. Who knows what they plan to do with Wren, we need to be there as soon as possible.

Regardless, I nod and follow him down the hall and into his room.

"You're leading this." He crosses his arms.

"Is that a question or…"

"It's a request," he replies. "I obviously can't come anymore because Quincy's ill and I need to look after the baby and her. So I want you to lead everyone, and get my sister home safe."

My eyes widen. "Are you…sure?"

To say I'm surprised would be an understatement. But fuck, I'm ready. I know without a doubt that it'll be the last time leading this gang.

After we get Wren, it'll be done.

I'd leave New Orleans with my family, including Wren and our baby. I just hope everything goes well.

"I'm sure." He nods. "I couldn't trust anyone more to handle this. And I trust that you'd protect my sister."

"With my life, Ray." I shake his outstretched hand. "With my life."

He nods. "Thank you."

"Meanwhile, you can take Quin and the baby to my place. They can stay there while you keep an eye on Tristan in my basement. Don't kill him though."

"You know what?" Ray's lips lift. "I think that's an amazing idea."