Page 41 of Seized By Solo
“Language,” I snap, but I hold no malice to my warning.
Tag chuckles. “I hear you, kid. Come on, let’s go wait outside.”
We all walk outside, Ricky sticking close to Tag. Nadine takes my hand, offering her support and love. Giving her a smile, we step into the bright, sunny July day. We stand and wait for the brothers to arrive, my baby girl with them.
I will not be satisfied that she is here and okay until I see her and check her for any injuries, though I also know Tag wouldn’t lie to me about her being okay.
I jump when I hear the rumble of the motorcycles. My heart skips a few beats, and my hand tightens around Nadine’s.
“She is okay. She is strong like her mum,” she assures me.
The gates open and in they ride. I can’t help the sob that breaks free when I see my darling sweet Ruthie sitting on Kane’s bike, securely in front of him. She’s wearing a helmet and is waving at us like a loon. She doesn’t look like a child who was kidnapped by her deranged junkie uncle.
Kane stops right in front of me and I can’t help but giggle seeing how okay and happy Ruthie looks.
“Mummy, did you see me? Wow, that was so cool riding on Daddy’s bike.” She gasps seeing her brother. “Ricky!” she screams, as they run towards each other.
“Wow, look at your cast. Does it hurt?” she questions her brother.
“Not anymore. Are you okay, Ruthie?” he asks, all humour gone from his tone.
Her smile drops, and I step closer, bringing her into my arms, needing to hold her. I pull Ricky in and we cry softly. I let my kids cry, because they need this. They need to know that it is okay to feel what they are feeling.
No one should be forced to hide what they feel.
“She is fine, baby. They took care of her,” Kane murmurs while wrapping all three of us in his big, secure arms.
“The prick who took her?” I hear Tag ask, but I keep my head down, kissing the tops of my babies’ heads.
“In the van. I will explain in Church. We are good. No war.” My heart jerks at the word ‘war,’ but I keep quiet. I know what club business is.
“Take your family to your room and relax for a bit. We will have Church in a few hours. They need to rest,” Tag directs.
“Will do,” Kane says, helping us stand. I pick up Ruthie, her little body wrapping around my own while Kane carries Ricky.
We make it to our room, and I sit on the bed with Ruthie still attached to me.
“What did they do to you, sweetheart? Did they hurt you?” I ask, cupping her face, using my thumb to wipe away her tears.
“When Uncle Alan took me to the house, the man in the suit called his wife to take me into another room. I don’t know what they did to him, but the woman was nice and the man in the suit was. They gave me food and some ice cream and let me watch TV. They never hurt me,” she confirms.
I look to Kane, who nods.
“Adrian Dyer had no part in her being taken, so when Alan arrived at his home, he made sure she was removed from him, but he had no idea who she was until we arrived.”
“What will happen to him?” I ask, even though I know I will not be given all the details.
Kane’s face hardens, but I know it’s not directed at me.
“Club business, baby, but know that he will never hurt any of you again.”
I nod in understanding as Ruthie yawns.
Laying us both down, Ricky lays down on her other side and Kane behind him. He looks at me over the kids’ heads as they drift off to sleep, but my mind won’t let me sleep in case they get taken. I never want them out of my sight again.
“Thank you for bring her back to us,” I cry softly.
Kane reaches over, brushing the tears away. “You are mine, Elsie. I would do any-fucking-thing for you. The three of you. I fucking love you.”
