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I was a bundle of nerves when we reached the compound.

I’d held it together after the scary scene with Tavia, and we kept the store open the remaining time.

I worked on not worrying about Bones and what we faced when I got home.

However, I was anxious now that I was here and had to face my man and the entire club.

I knew Bones was angry and would have a lot of questions. I hoped I could reassure him.

Agony had my arm tucked over his. Some Pagans went ahead of us and opened the clubhouse door while the others followed behind.

I felt safe surrounded by them. I felt the same way on the way home.

I had wondered if Deon or anyone else in cahoots with them had seen us leave.

I hoped they were bewildered by what happened to Tavia.

I’d left by the front door, and it had been clear that no one but those who should have been with me were there.

I barely cleared the entry before being taken away from Agony and engulfed in Bones’ strong arms. He held me as close as he could to his chest. My stomach prevented me from being plastered to him.

His scent and heartbeat comforted me, though his heartbeat quickened.

Before I could say a word, my head was tilted back by his fingers under my chin, and Bones kissed me.

The kiss was one of fear, passion, and a tinge of anger, but I greedily returned it. I had all those same emotions running through me. We nipped, sucked, and tongue thrust until a throat being loudly cleared made us stop and draw apart. A smirking Agony was the one who did it.

“I know you two are happy to see each other and have much to discuss, but you’re scandalizing the children.” He pointed to the other Pagans, Alfred, and Leon. They were all smiling, chuckling, or smirking.

“Someone has to teach them the right way,” slipped out of me.

My comment caused louder laughter and remarks about kissing me to show they knew how to do it. The laughter eased the tension, which I knew was what Agony intended. With it done, he got serious.

“Bones, I know you want to examine Blythe and the babies and then talk. Please do the doctoring part first, and then, when you’re done, bring her back out here to tell us the story. I’ve heard most of it, but others haven’t. We all need to be clear on what happened before we proceed.”

“I do want to ensure they’re okay. I’ll make it quick and then bring her back. Come with me, Firefly.” Bones took my hand and led me to his special room. He gestured for me to sit on the examination table, which I did.

“Are you having any pain or discomfort anywhere?” Bones asked as he got out his assessment equipment: his stethoscope, BP cuff, and a penlight.

“Jagger, I’m not hurt, and neither are the babies.”

“Blythe, just humor me and answer my questions fully. Don’t leave anything out, no matter how slight.”

“Fine, then I have soreness in my knees from where I dropped down on the hard wooden floor of the store. It was intentional, not due to a fall. My stomach was never hit or anything. My ribs were jabbed hard by the muzzle of a gun, so there might be a chance of a bruise there on my right side.”

He inhaled deeply at the mention of my ribs, but he didn’t say anything. Next, he placed his stethoscope earpieces into his ears and listened to my heartbeat. He asked me to breathe deeply, then lowered it to my belly. He had to move it until he paused, listened, and moved again.

With it still in his ears, he said, “I’ll check your blood pressure next.” When he was done measuring my blood pressure, he removed the stethoscope and BP cuff and put them aside.

“I need to check your pupils and then palpate areas.”

He was businesslike, so I was, too. The bright light made my eyes water. He pressed over my belly, then down my legs to my feet, where he paused and pushed on what I knew were my pulse points. When he stood straight, he looked at me.

“Your blood pressure is slightly higher than normal for you, but nothing to worry about. Everything else is within your normal range. However, you might have a delayed reaction. Tell me immediately if you feel different, have any discomfort, pain, or anything else. I’d like it if you’d go lie down for a while.

We have a long night ahead. It’ll be hours before we’re done, and I’m free. You can sleep while I’m busy.”

I captured his face between my hands. I stared deeply into his eyes. “Jagger, we’re good. No one took us away. The babies are secure and snug in there.”

As my words sank in, his eyes grew wet. He closed them and pressed his forehead to mine.

“Blythe, don’t talk about that right now.

I can’t think about what might’ve happened.

I have to be strong. But you need to know that if anything happened to the three of you, I’d tear the world apart to find you and make those responsible pay.

Deon, Tavia, or whatever her fucking name is, and the rest working with them will pay, and it’s going to be ugly,” he vowed.

“Then let’s get to it.” Was my response.

“I don’t want you involved. You need to rest. Let us handle it,” he demanded.

“Honey, I have to be there for some of it.”

“I don’t want you to see the other side of me. He’s not nice. He doesn’t act like a doctor.”

“And I don’t expect that part of you to be a doctor. I need to know all of you. Show me. Don’t be afraid. I love you. Nothing is changing that,” I whispered.

We stayed that way for a few minutes before he got himself together and could return to the others. He held my hand the entire walk back, even after we were seated. Everyone was waiting. Agony nodded.

“Good. I need Blythe to tell us what happened. The others who were there, except Dimitri, fill in any gaps. Dimitri, you tell us how you helped free Blythe.”

I didn’t waste time taking them from the moment Tavia entered until she was unconscious. The guys filled in a couple of things I forgot, and then it was Dimitri’s turn. He acted as if his part wasn’t a big deal, but it was. When he was done, I thanked him again.

“Dimitri, I know I said this already, but thank you, thank you so much. I can’t repay you,” I said.

“I second that. You’ve saved her twice. You’re her guardian angel,” Bones added. He held out his hand. Dimitri took it.

“I did what anyone else would do. No one is going to mess with this family and get away with it. What they did to Blythe and others is evil, and the world doesn’t need more evil people. You want to thank me? Let’s get rid of the bastards and that bitch in the outbuilding,” Dimitri growled.

His suggestion made the guys cheer and ask for the same. Agony got them to settle and then explained what would happen next.

“The old ladies are home and will come here if that is your preference, Blythe, and spend time with you. Or you can go home and rest. If you want, one of them will stay with you. We may be a while. Alfred, you’re welcome to hang in the clubhouse or stay with Blythe if she wishes.

I would ask you not to go home. We can’t risk someone snatching you up to ask for answers.

The prospects and some members will be around. ”

Agony turned to meet Leon’s gaze. “I spoke to the Dark Patriots and Gio about you. You earned high praise, and it was confirmed that you were asked to join them. Gio would bet his life on you. You’re welcome if you’d still like to be part of the questioning.

Both of you need to understand. You’re being given something we don’t do.

Typically, non-members would not be trusted to know what we do, let alone participate in it.

We’re not indiscriminate people hurting others for fun.

Don’t make us regret this. It won’t be a good thing for either of us. ”

His tone was a clear warning, but I wasn’t sure if he meant the club would kill them if they told. I hoped not. However, if they did, and it caused one or more of the Pagans to go to prison, I don’t know that I’d be so against it. As much as I liked them, protecting my club family came first.

“Agony, I do want to see the ladies. However, I wish to be there when you question Tavia. I need to know the extent of this operation, or whatever they call it. They’re doing more than selling babies.

The moms are sent to their deaths. There’s no telling how many or who is involved.

I can’t explain, but I need to be there,” I pleaded.

“Blythe, this isn’t something we generally like our women to see. I can’t say it has never happened, but you’re pregnant with twins. The stress might be too much. Plus, I don’t think your old man likes the idea,” Agony pointed out.

“I know all that, but I can’t change who I am. I know that Bones wants me safe and not to see the other side of him. I want to know all of him. If it begins to bother me, I’ll say so. I won’t risk my babies. Please, I need this.”

Agony didn’t answer. Instead, he stared at Bones and left the decision up to him.

I squeezed my man’s hand. He studied me for a good minute before he blew out a breath and said, “She can come, but at the first sign of her not handling it or the babies reacting, she’s done.

Blythe, if I have to, one of my brothers or I will carry you out.

Do you understand? And you can’t hold it against us. ”

“I understand and won’t do that to any of you. When do we start?”

“There’s no reason to wait. We’ll go now.

Please give us a few minutes to get everyone situated and say hello to our families, etc.

How about we say thirty minutes, then we’ll meet here?

Not everyone can go, so Hulk and I will divide the team.

The reason is that we have no idea what kind of support Deon has.

We can’t risk the compound being hit and us all being there.

They have to be wondering where that woman is,” Agony explained.

There was chatter, but no one objected. I sat there, waiting to start, holding onto Bones and trying by touch to soothe him. When it failed, I whispered words of love to him. He held me close.