One of Six (Den Hollows #1)

38. Beatrice

38

BEATRICE

The loud rumble of motorcycles jolts me out of sleep. I jerk to a sitting position. I must have fallen asleep while Harding was working on Mom's phone. I wish I'd fallen asleep in a more comfortable position. The engines purr before they shut off. Ed catches my eye and winces, so I ask, "Who’s outside?"

He doesn't look so happy as he says, "Jesus Drake, former president of the Den of Filth Motorcycle Club."

"Essex's uncle," I comment, stretching as I stand. "He told me about him."

Ed chuckles. I raise an eyebrow and Ed just shakes his head. "Maggie called him as soon as they took Essex. I don't like him being involved."

"We need all the help we can get. Jesus can go where you can't without a warrant." I grin and scurry out of the room to meet the mysterious Jesus Drake.

"Holy crap," I stutter when I see the guy. He's tall, with broad shoulders, a trim waist, and muscular thighs.

His eyes light up with mischief when he catches me looking at him. He grins and reaches forward. "You're catching flies," his deep voice rumbles as he gently pushes my chin up to close my mouth.

"You're hot for an old guy." My cheeks turn bright red when I realize I said those words aloud. "I mean, well, you're not old. I mean?—”

He chuckles and wraps one arm around my shoulders while he grabs Maggie with the other. "It's been a while since I had two beautiful women in my arms at the same time."

I blush even more.

Maggie laughs and pokes him in the chest. "Is Wilder with you?"

"No. The club is busy." He turns his head toward his bike, and there are two other guys in jeans, built like Jesus, leaning against their own bikes. "I brought some friends."

Atilio pulls me away from his uncle. "This is Bea... Essex's girlfriend."

Jesus rolls his eyes. "I know." He looks around. "You said the FBI was here?"

"We are." Ed pulls himself up from where he is casually leaning against the doorjamb and walks toward us. He nods at Jesus. "Ed Carter. My colleagues are around."

"What are you doing to get my nephew back?"

"Follow me and we'll talk." Ed turns and goes into the office he's been using.

Jesus winks at me and follows Ed. I lean against Atilio as soon as his uncle is out of sight with mine. "I can't believe I said that."

Nico giggles. "I can't wait to tell Essex."

Maggie pats my hand. "Don't worry, Bea. Every woman reacts like that to my brother."

"I wonder how Violet will react to him," Boone grins.

The mention of my girlfriend reminds me that I haven't heard from her. The last message I got said she was coming to see me. Then I fell asleep. "Where is she?"

"Who?" Atilio asks.

"Violet? She was on her way here." I watch the brothers look at each other and my stomach sinks. "She's not here, is she?"

"Um," Galen says from his seat on the stairs, "she arrived. I saw her leave after Ridge."

A terrible feeling comes over me as I look at each of the brothers. "He wouldn't go after Essex, would he?"

Curses fly from their mouths, and as one they drag me into the office. Ed and Jesus look up as Atilio says, "We think they have Ridge and Violet too."

Ed sighs. "How the hell did that happen?"

"They think Ridge went after Essex and Violet followed him." I shrug. "It's too late to worry about how and why. We have to do something.”

"Let me and my boys snoop around." Jesus grins. "I promise to stay out of trouble. Scout's honor!"

I burst out laughing as he winks in my direction. "You don't look like a scout."

Jesus barks with laughter. "It's too bad you're already spoken for, I would take you home for my son." To Ed, "We'll look into what we talked about. Be in touch." He walks away with a swagger, leaving me amused but worried.

I look at Ed. "He knows what he's doing, doesn't he?"

"I hope so." Ed winces.

"I've got to do something." I pad over to look over Harding's shoulder. He gives me the eye. "You're done?"

"I am." He glances at Ed before focusing on me. "We need to wait until Jesus is in place, then call Lincoln."

Then it clicks. "You want to distract them so Jesus and his men can get Essex and probably Ridge and Violet.”

"That's right." Harding smiles. "Why don't you go get something to eat? Maggie said she was making a pot of stew."

As the words come out of his mouth, my stomach grumbles. I step into the kitchen and find myself in Nico's arms. He kisses me on the head and pushes me into a chair at the table. Maggie pushes a small bowl of stew in front of me. "Eat," she says. "There's plenty more where that came from."

Nico hands me a bottle of water. "My brothers are a pain in the ass, but I know them, and I can assure you they are fine. Violet too." He smiles. "Ridge will keep her safe."

"I hope so," I mutter, taking a spoonful of stew and munching on it. My eyes widen as the flavors hit my taste buds. "This is good." I take another bite and smile at Maggie. "Thank you for this and for not shouting at me for getting your family involved in this mess."

Maggie sits down at the table. "My family got involved the second my husband was killed, Beatrice. Things have accelerated exponentially since Essex, and you got involved. My son loves you and I can see that you return the feeling. That is something to cherish." She pats my hand. "I'll be relieved when this is over, and we can settle down."

"Me too." I pause. “Maggie, have you heard from Evelyn?”

Maggie frowns but won’t meet my gaze. “I haven’t spoken to Evelyn since your mother’s funeral.”

“Oh!” I stare at my bowl of stew. "It’s weird. I hope she’s okay.”

“I’m sure she is.” Maggie pats my hand.

I dig into the stew and offer Maggie a whimsical smile. “I just want to be with Essex and figure out what to do with my life." I look from Nico to Maggie. "I can draw. I thought maybe I could take some online classes to get better and maybe I could help Essex." I shrug, suddenly feeling shy.

"That would be amazing!" Nico says excitedly. "You could start by helping us organize the office. Mom used to do it, but she loves teaching cooking more than paperwork."

"That's the truth." Maggie smiles. "Talk to Essex about it first, and then if you are still interested, his brothers will be involved in the decision."

Nico snorts. "As if those idiots would refuse to let Beatrice work with us." He laughs as he puts away his bowl.

"I'll talk to Essex." I smile. “But right now, I just want to hold him and know that he's safe.”