Page 14

Ezra

T wenty-four hours, a whole day since Dana had been taken, and Ezra had nothing. Well, he had something, but the information didn’t help. Late the previous evening, they’d finally found out the name of the guy staying with Shania. A Duke Bisson. A neighbour identified him. He was a mean motherfucker who loved to spend money drinking but not earning it. Yeah, Ezra saw why Dana was a tasty target for him. Duke was also known to be free with his fists, man or woman; it didn’t matter.

Ezra hadn’t been able to sleep, not with the images of Dana beaten and broken in front of him every time he shut his eyes. Lindsey rallied, which gave him some comfort, but not much. His girl was still out there, hurt and probably terrified, out of her mind. Ezra had discovered a whole new level of hate, and it was aimed solely at Shania and Duke. They wouldn’t find an easy death, not with his anger towards them. Despite never having harmed a woman, Ezra was prepared to make an exception for Shania.

Everyone was out searching for leads and chasing snitches, but nothing was coming back. Shania clearly was embracing her sadistic streak because she hadn’t called to say where to send the money. It was destroying him, not knowing how Dana was faring. Had she regained consciousness? Was she alive? The questions kept swirling around his head.

His phone rang, and he snatched it up.

“Shania!” he barked.

Silence met him.

“Speak to me, bitch. Where is my woman?” Ezra demanded as Mac started a trace on the line.

“Is this her boyfriend?” a young girl whispered.

Ezra stiffened. This wasn’t Shania.

“Yes,” he said, forcing calmness into his voice.

“There’s a lady here. She has been hurt badly. She’s not opened her eyes all night,” the girl continued.

“Little angel, that’s my woman. She was taken against her will. Can you tell me where she is?” Ezra questioned, trying not to yell in his anguish. Dana hadn’t awakened!

“I’ll get in trouble if I do. Dad will freak at me again, and I don’t want to be hurt,” she whispered.

“Where is your father?” Ezra asked. He saw Drake move away and begin typing on his phone.

“Asleep. Dad was drunk but happy. He kept saying we were finally hitting it rich. I think it has something to do with this poor lady. Can you help her?”

“Sweetheart, tell me where you are, and we’ll come and get you both,” Ezra promised.

His heart was leaping, hoping that she would come through for him.

“Will you hurt me like he does?” the girl asked.

“Fuck no!” Ezra exclaimed.

The girl went silent, and for so long, Ezra wondered if she’d cut the line. Mac made a circling motion with his finger, telling him they were still connected.

“Madison, you little bitch, where are you? Come and get breakfast on!” Shania screeched from somewhere.

Before Ezra could comment, an address was spat at him, and the line went dead.

“Let’s ride!” Ezra demanded.

“Hold on,” Drake ordered on the phone himself.

Ezra looked at him in disbelief. Dana needed him, and Drake wanted him to wait. Like fuck. Drake’s glower stopped him in his tracks as he began to open his mouth. Drake would not wait if it was Phoe.

“Thanks, Leila,” Drake said and hung up. “Duke has a nine-year-old daughter. He was banned from seeing her, and custody was given to her mom. Duke beat the pair of them black and blue, and he ended up losing custody. Five months ago, the mother was savagely raped and beaten to death, and Madison disappeared. The police have been searching for Duke ever since.”

“Shit, and this asshole is alone with Dana?” Ezra asked. His feet were moving, and before anyone realised, he was on his bike and riding.

Ezra shot down the streets, ignoring speed limits as his urge to reach Dana and save her chewed his gut up. He was twisting himself with torturous visions as he sped towards Dana. His rage was surging, but nothing would ease that or the worry until he’d her in his arms again. Ezra parked around the corner to the address they’d been given and walked down the street. He wisely avoided parking outside. It would put Dana and Madison directly in the path of danger.

He stood behind a tree and observed the house. It was in a rough area of town, set back from the road and in a bad condition. The front yard was overgrown and full of crap, and there was a beat-up truck parked in a cracked driveway. As Ezra watched, he saw a woman’s figure pass by the window, but they were so dirty he couldn’t tell if it was Shania or not.

“Manny, Blaze, and Jett are covering the rear. Lowrider, Apache, and Ace are taking the side of the house that backs into that wasteland. Rock, Gunner, and I are kicking in the front,” Drake said to him.

Ezra nodded. He’d noted the bikes arriving as he’d watched. Although every nerve in his body had screamed at him to go barging in, he’d managed to control the urge. By doing so, Dana could be wounded.

“Fish and Texas are looking for Madison and Dana,” Drake added.

“Let’s go,” Ezra replied and marched up the path with Drake. Rock hauled Drake away and kicked in the door. It flew open, and a woman screamed. Men burst into the house, kicking down doors. The woman shrieked again and then fell silent. Ace, Apache, and Rock raced up the stairs as Texas and Fish began searching rooms.

Ezra followed the sound of the scream and saw that Manny had Shania firmly around the throat and was threatening her in a low voice. Gunshots came from upstairs, and there was return fire. A child screamed, and the hair on the back of Ezra’s neck stood up. In his search for Dana, he raced out of the kitchen and stumbled upon a hovel, but found no trace of her.

“Ezra!” Fish bellowed, and he ran up the stairs as Texas stepped out of a room. Ezra shoved past him and stopped dead.

Lying on the floor in a heap was Dana. She was deathly pale and covered in blood.

“Is she…?” Ezra was unable to finish the question.

Fish turned to him and shook his head while he answered questions on his phone.

“She’s breathing, but it’s erratic, as is her pulse. Paramedics have been called.”

“Are you him? The boyfriend?” a child questioned from the opposite corner of the room. She was eyeing the three men with a tremendous amount of fear.

“Yes. Are you Madison?” Ezra asked, but his attention was focused on Dana. He moved forward slowly, frightened to touch her in case he hurt her. She was only wearing her underwear and was covered head to toe in bruises and cuts.

A ruckus at the door caught Ezra’s attention as a bitter voice called to him.

“I fucked her, and she screamed. Took her every hole, asshole. She’ll never get over that,” Duke crowed as Ace drew back his hand and pistol-whipped him.

Duke collapsed, and Ace and Apache picked him up and carried him out. Ezra didn’t even ask where they were going. Doors slammed, and a van sped off, but Ezra couldn’t tear his eyes from Dana.

His boots clumped on the floor, and he stormed across. He wanted to gather her up, soothe her hurt and pain, but there was nowhere on her body that wasn’t bruised or cut. Her face was so battered she’d almost be unrecognisable. His hands hovered over her, and a small hand touched his shoulder.

“Daddy didn’t rape her,” Madison said into his ear. “I stopped him.”

Shit, how did this child know that? She was nine, a young kid, and should never have been exposed to that type of knowledge.

“Thank you for saving her,” Ezra managed to say.

His throat was tight with unshed tears. He didn’t need a doctor to tell him Dana was in critical condition.

“She’s not woken up while she has been here,” Madison said.

“She hasn’t?” Ezra asked. Shit, that meant trauma to her brain.

“No, I saved some of my dinner for her, but she never woke up,” Madison replied. Ezra looked at the little girl next to him. Fuck, she was seriously underweight. Saving even part of her dinner was a huge sacrifice for this child. Ezra reached out and squeezed her hand.

“Shit’s gonna be okay now, kid,” he muttered as his gaze returned to Dana.

Was it him, or was her breathing slowing? Sirens screamed as an ambulance pulled up outside, and two paramedics raced into the room minutes later. Drake hauled Ezra back as he watched as they fought to save Dana’s life. It was reminiscent of Lindsey’s arrival on Rage, and Ezra was trapped between memories and the present.

They loaded Dana onto a stretcher and hurried her out. Ezra was on their heels as Madison clung to him.

“We’re coming with her,” Ezra stated to the paramedic. His tone allowed no room for argument.

“Stay out of our way,” the paramedic replied, recognising Ezra’s stance.

Ezra held Madison’s hand all the way to the hospital. This brave little soul had given him a chance to save his woman. Dana’s whereabouts would remain unknown to Rage if she hadn’t been there.

◆◆◆

Chaos surrounded him, but Ezra sat silently in a chair. Madison sat beside him while Lindsey was on the other side. Ezra spoke when required. Other than that, he remained silent. He’d given Dana’s details, informed a doctor of what he knew, and then waited with Madison by his side.

Madison had been checked over and had created merry hell until Ezra had stayed with her. She was bruised, too, and seriously underweight, but she was otherwise healthy. Which was one relief for Ezra. Madison now sat quietly beside him, completely comfortable in his presence.

His head tilted when he heard Phoe arguing with a woman.

“And I said you’re not taking that child!” Phoe snapped.

“With her mother dead, father in the wind, and no other relatives, she has to go into care,” the support worker argued back.

“She’s staying with us!” Phoe nearly yelled. “And do not bullshit me that she won’t be safe. Don’t force me to make a phone call you won’t like!” Phoe narrowed her eyes. Only this time, it appeared she had met her match.

“Don’t try to bully me, Mrs Michaelson. I do indeed know who you are, but I cannot place a child with you because you’re rich,” the woman stated calmly.

“That’s not the point!” Phoe exclaimed, sounding insulted. Money was not an issue for Phoe when it came to getting their way.

“That very much is the point. Now, if we had a foster carer within the MC—”

“Me,” Marsha announced, stepping forward. “I’m registered.”

“Then let’s go and talk,” the child support worker suggested.

“If things don’t go our way, get ready to disappear,” Ezra finally said to Lindsey.

Lindsey glanced at Madison and how the girl was clinging to Ezra and nodded.

“Madison. If she doesn’t give you to Marsha, who will let you live with me, then go with Lindsey for now while we get an emergency care order,” Ezra explained.

The kid, older beyond her nine years, nodded. Madison had bonded with Ezra over one phone call. His promise to come and get her had clearly meant something. Even though Madison was quiet and watched everyone around, she held little fear of being surrounded by hulking men in jeans and cuts. Ezra couldn’t imagine what her life had been like that she was so relaxed amidst an MC.

But it showed she didn’t trust anyone else, a doctor, nurse, the child support worker. Madison gave them all the evil eye. Ezra believed that Madison thought they’d gone to rescue her. Dana had been the priority, but Madison would never have that knowledge. And because she saw all the guys there coming for her, Madison trusted them.

“Okay, but you won’t let her take me?”

“No. If Marsha can swing the foster placement, you’ll be coming with me,” Ezra said.

He needed a house, asap. Dana and Madison needed a home, not his clubhouse rooms. Ezra had once owned a home, but he’d sold it as he didn’t believe he would find his soulmate. Now, he regretted it bitterly.

“Phoe,” he called her over.

“Yes?”

“I need a house. Like yesterday, can you work some magic?”

Phoe smiled and walked away, saying, “Sure.” She sat next to Silvie, and they bent their heads together as they looked at Phoe’s phone.

Minutes ticked by as Madison and Ezra sat in silence, waiting for news on Dana. He held her hand, knowing that at least this little girl had been saved from a nightmare. It was a small comfort.

◆◆◆

“Ezra Miller,” a voice called, and Ezra was on his feet, tugging Madison behind him.

“Yes,” Ezra replied as he approached.

“You’re next of kin for Dana Tyne?” the doctor asked.

“Yeah.”

“She has come through surgery, although it was touch and go. Her injuries are extensive. But she’s stable for now but on the critical list,” the doctor said.

Ezra’s body relaxed in on itself; Dana was alive. It had been touch and go in the ambulance, and he’d been fighting the dread of hearing the news she’d died. Hope flared within him, and he straightened his shoulder, which dropped as her injuries were listed. Ezra soon understood why she was critical.

“Can we see her?” Ezra asked.

“Dana’s been given a private room, as requested, limited to two visitors at a time.”

“Come on, Madison,” Ezra said.

“The child is…?”

“Our daughter, she’s recently come into our care,” Ezra lied, and Madison squeezed his hand.

He knew Dana inside out. Once she learned this starving girl had saved some of her dinner, that he bet money she rarely got, Dana wouldn’t hesitate to take her in. Ezra had no qualms either about taking in a child who’d risked a beating, if not worse, to save the life of a woman she didn’t know. Madison was now a Rage kid and would be protected and treated like all Rage children. A precious item they’d all bleed and die for.

The doctor opened a door to a private room where Ezra froze in sheer horror. Dana lay in the bed, covered in bandages and stitches. She looked like she’d gone ten rounds with a pro-boxer. Hastily, he approached and grasped her hand as Madison moved to the opposite side.

The machines monitoring Dana beeped steadily as Ezra took in her broken arm and wrist. Her ankle was also encased in a plaster of Paris. Her head was bandaged where they’d drilled in to relieve pressure building on the brain, and it was a waiting game. Dana still hadn’t regained consciousness. She was scheduled for a scan the next day to monitor brain activity, and Ezra wouldn’t even consider a negative outcome.

He lay a hand over her stomach. Two days ago, it had carried their babe. Now, her womb was empty. Neither of them had known she was pregnant, and their baby was gone before they knew it. Her sister would pay dearly for the loss of his child. Ezra hadn’t been able to speak when the doctor informed him of the miscarriage. Dana had been kicked so many times in the stomach it wasn’t a surprise she’d lost the baby.

Grief had hit Ezra hard and not even his sister had been able to comfort him. Instead, Ezra clung to Madison’s hand. His rational brain soothed himself that with the child they’d lost, they’d gained another. Madison might not share their blood, but she wouldn’t be thought of as anything but their daughter.

A sharp rap at the door announced Hawthorne and Davies. They were both pale and had frown lines etched into their heads.

“I’m sorry, man,” Hawthorne said, approaching first and squeezing Ezra’s shoulder.

“Me too. We didn’t know,” Ezra replied, knowing what Hawthorne was referring to.

“That bitch will pay,” Hawthorne muttered.

“You’ll hold her and that cunt until I can be there,” Ezra stated.

“Not got a problem with that. She’ll wake up, Dana’s a fighter,” Davies answered.

“She’s badly hurt,” Ezra murmured, holding her hand and refusing to let go. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Madison backing away from Hawthorne and Davies, and he looked at her.

“This is your Uncle Dylan and Davies. They are Dana’s bosses. They’ll probably spoil you,” Ezra said.

Hawthorne jolted beside him, and his hand squeezed Ezra’s shoulder again.

“Dana will love you,” Hawthorne replied with a gentle smile. “And so will the guys at the office. Be prepared for lots of gifts to head your way, honey.”

Ezra was vindicated. Hawthorne believed, like he did, that Dana would take the girl in.

He sat back and waited for Dana to wake up. A cot bed was brought in for Madison, who, point-blank, refused to leave Ezra’s side. Marsha had swung the foster placement, and the child support worker had gone. Carly and Autumn had disappeared and returned two hours later with bags full of clothing, some age-appropriate books, and toys for Madison.

Ezra had encouraged her to take a shower, and she was now dressed in clean new clothes. He’d binned the rags Duke had put her in.

Hawthorne and Davies left, and others came in pairs. Once they’d seen Dana, Ezra knew most would leave because of their children, but some of the single guys would hang around, taking turns to comfort Ezra.

With many people hanging around, the nurses were curious about Dana’s identity. Phoe must have put some sort of system in place because they only stayed ten to fifteen minutes before leaving. Finally, he was alone with Madison and Slate, who were spending two hours with him. Harley would be taking over for him, and Slate had informed Ezra that Harley was napping while the others had gone home until it was their turn.

Madison had fallen asleep, and he and Slate murmured occasional things, but Ezra’s attention was focused on Dana. His eyes closed without him knowing, and he fell asleep, too.

◆◆◆

Ezra jolted awake. The sun was beginning to rise, and he yawned and rubbed his eyes. His gaze shot to the bed, and he saw Dana lying there just as still as before. He got to his feet, noting that Carmine was now there and reading a book.

“Brought you some shit,” Carmine said and returned to reading.

Ezra grabbed the bag; he needed a piss and to freshen up. He showered quickly and, dressed in the clean clothes that Carmine had brought, and walked back outside. Carmine wasn’t reading anymore. Instead, he was watching the bed intently. Ezra’s gaze flew to Dana, and he saw her staring straight at him. Her uninjured hand was trying to pull the breathing apparatus out, and Carmine was gently stopping her from doing so.

“I’ve called a nurse,” Carmine announced.

Dana’s eyes widened at him in terror, and Ezra raced to the bed and touched her hair.

“Someone will come soon and remove it, baby. Do not panic,” Ezra soothed.

He touched his forehead to hers and sighed deeply.

“I love you,” he muttered and kissed her. “Don’t ever leave me.”

Dana gurgled something as a nurse and Doc Paul entered.

“Ah, wonderful, you’re awake. Let me remove that,” Doc Paul said, approaching.

Dana choked and looked uncomfortable as he pulled the tube from her throat, and she motioned for a drink. Ezra slowly raised the bed a little so she could sit up and drink a glass of water through a straw.

Her gaze kept flicking between Doc Paul and Ezra as the doc ran her through some questions, which she answered. Then she asked what happened. Ezra explained gently and wiped the tears from her eyes when Dana understood that Shania had betrayed her again.

As soon as Doc Paul had left, content that Dana was healing, Dana’s eyes turned to Madison, who was watching warily. She was curled up in the corner of the cot bed.

“Madison?” Dana asked, and the little girl straightened.

“You know me?” Madison questioned suspiciously.

“No, but I heard you. You kept asking me to wake up and told me you’d saved some of your dinner for me,” Dana replied.

Shit, had Dana been aware the whole time but unable to react? The sheer horror at that thought ran through Ezra. She’d have felt so helpless.

“You were aware?” Ezra croaked, needing to know the answer.

“No. But Madison roused me slightly,” Dana whispered.

“She’s staying with us. Madison’s got no other family,” Ezra stated, but it was really a question.

Dana searched his face and then turned to Madison, who was tense and stiff.

“Where else would she go? Madison’s a hero in my book,” Dana replied as she closed her eyes.

Relief hit Ezra as Dana fell back to sleep, her monitors beeping steadily.

Ezra faced Madison and winked. Just like that, he had a daughter. And she was a balm to the hurt he was feeling over Dana’s miscarriage.

Right now, Ezra would take any small blessing possible. He had to be strong, for Dana’s sake. She’d been heartbroken like he was, but together, and with Madison, who was in no way a replacement for the baby they’d lost, they’d all figure it out.

It’s what Rage did.