The Biker's Fate Chapter 256

Maisie

I WATCHED HATCH as he joked around with Poppy and Cricket, his gentleness with my daughter filling my heart with ooey gooey goodness. It could have been the drugs as well, but I didn't think so. Poppy was enraptured by everything he said, and I got it… learning how to properly season a pork chop was interesting, but learning how to properly season a pork chop by Hatch, was fascinating. And sexy.

I couldn't seem to fight sleep, so I didn't force myself to, but when I felt a tickle on my cheek, I opened my eyes to find Hatch smiling down at me. "Hey."

"Hi," I rasped.

"Hate to wake you, but the chops are done and we've eaten. You should really get some food in you."

My stomach rumbled in response and I chuckled. "My body agrees."

"Okay, I'll grab your plate. Stay put."

This was my life for the next week. Hatch catering to my every need, me growing stronger and healing at record speed (according to the doctor), and Poppy falling in love with my motorcycle man… okay, maybe it was me falling in love with him, but she was close behind, and I couldn't blame her.

Alison was also warming to the idea of me and Hatch. Friday night we'd planned a double date, with Cricket hanging out with Grace and Poppy at my place, while Merrick went to a friend's house. It would be an early one, just a quick meal at the Q, but something to get me out of the house, which I desperately needed, however, Friday afternoon, Ryan called, his tone frantic.

"What's wrong?"

"Ali's missing."

"What do you mean, she's 'missing'?" I demanded.

"She didn't show to pick up Grace from school and no one can get hold of her. We've got a BOLO out, but so far no luck."

"I take it you're tracking her cell phone and car?"

"Her car's here and her phone's off," he said in frustration.

"Have you checked Somer's Place?" I asked, just in case she lied to me about not staying clean and was self-medicating with alcohol again.

"Yeah, the bar's closed."

"What about—"

"I've checked every fucking bar in Portland, Beaverton, Gresham, and Vancouver, Maisie, she's nowhere!" he snapped.

"I'm sorry."

"No, I'm sorry. I just… fuck, I can't find her anywhere."

"As soon as Hatch gets back, we'll go look, okay?"

"Yeah, that'd be great, Maisie, thanks."

He hung up and I called Hatch. "Hey, Sunshine."

"Hey. Am I on speaker?" He was picking up Poppy and I didn't want her to hear what I had to say.

"You're not now."

"Alison's missing. I'll explain when you get here, but tonight's obviously off."

"Okay. We're two minutes away."

"See you soon."

I set my cell phone on the kitchen island just as someone knocked on my front door. Thinking it was Hatch and Poppy, I pulled open the door… to find a very drunk Alison, half-empty bottle of Vodka, stumbling inside.

"Hey, girrrrl," she slurred, waving the bottle with a giggle.

"Alison!" I closed the door and rushed to her. "Honey, Ryan's worried sick."

"Is he? Whatever." She took a swig from the bottle.

"Ali, love, can I take that Vodka?"

She shook her head. "It makes me feel good."

I took a deep, calming breath. It's not like I could wrestle it from her, I only had one useable arm.

Luckily, Hatch and Poppy walked in a few minutes later and Hatch helped get Alison under control so that I could call Ryan.

Ryan answered immediately. "Hey, Maisie."

"Ali's here. She's really drunk, Ryan, but she's safe."

"I'll be there as soon as I can."

"Okay, love."

I hung up and grabbed Alison some water, walking into the family room and handing it to her. "Where's my Vodka?" she demanded.

"I think this will help better than the Vodka," I said.

"I hate water." She looked like she'd crawled through an Army obstacle course, the front of her shirt and jeans covered with caked-on mud, and her shoes damp.

"I know, love," I crooned. "Where have you been? I think we should get you out of those wet clothes, hmm? Get you something warm and dry to wear?"

"It's raining outside."

"I know, Ali, but you're going to catch a cold."

She shivered. "Okay."

"Come on, we'll use my bathroom."

Before I could get her in the shower, however, Ryan arrived and took over. I left them alone and joined Hatch and Poppy back in the family room. "Is Auntie Ali okay?"

"She will be, Poppet," I said, and pulled her in for a hug. "Uncle Ryan's taking care of her."

"Can I please call Gracie?"

"Sure, love. How about you hang in your room for a bit? We'll let you know when the coast is clear."

Poppy nodded and walked down the hall, and I turned to face Hatch. "Still want to be part of my crazy world?"

He chuckled. "Yeah, Sunshine, I'm good."

"Maisie," Ryan called, and I headed to my bedroom.

Alison was stretched out on my bed, clean and dressed in sweats and a hoodie, she appeared to have passed out.

"I gave her a sedative," he said. "I'm going to take her to the hospital and put her on a psych hold. We need to figure some things out."

"I'm sorry, love."

He dragged his hands down his face. "I don't know what I'm going to do Maisie."

I wrapped an arm around him. "We'll sort it out. Don't worry about work, I'll get someone in. I'll help with the kids. Whatever you need. You know that. Let's just get her well."

"Thanks." He leaned down and kissed my cheek. "I'm going to get out of your hair."

"Okay, love."

He picked Alison up, cradling her gently to him, and carried her out of the condo. I locked up behind them and returned to Hatch.

"So, our night just got blown up. I'm sorry."

Hatch wrapped his arms around me gently and kissed my head. "We can still go out, Sunshine. Cricket's happy to hang with Poppy."

"Yeah?" I asked, hopefully.

Hatch smiled. "Yeah."

"I have an hour before the office closes and I really need to call HR and then our attorney to deal with some legal stuff. If I get all of that done, then yes, I'd love to get out of this house."

He leaned down to kiss me gently. "I'm gonna grab a beer. Want anything?"

"Can you find Bill Anders's number and ring it, please? It's hard to hold the phone and scroll at the same time."

He took the phone from me, then handed it back and I settled it to my ear. "Hey Maisie, how are you feeling?" Bill asked.

"I've been better."

"Uh-oh. What's going on?"

I filled him in on what I knew so far. Bill was our head company attorney, so I trusted that he would be able to handle the sensitive nature of Alison's situation and how best to relay the information.

"Wow, Maisie," Bill breathed out.

"I know." I glanced at Hatch who sat on the sofa and set his feet on the coffee table. "We're going to need to find someone to take Alison's position temporarily. I think Nicole would be the best fit."

"She's young. What about Myron?"

"Nicole knows Alison's job better than anyone."

"But Myron's got the experience."

"Not in this job he doesn't," I countered. "And I need someone who understands that this is Alison's job. She has it for as long as she wants it."

"I just don't know that Nicole's the right fit."

"Why? Because she's young and cute and a woman?" I snapped. "My company. My call."

Hatch raised an eyebrow as he took a swig of beer.