Page 11 of Reaping Havoc (Royal Bastards MC Tonopah, NV #21)

I cried for hours. No one could console me.

With Rael off trying to find our daughter, the staff feeling obligated to check in with me constantly, and my aching heart, I was exhausted. Devastation, loss, horror, and shock all equally took up residence in my head.

Cameron. Oh, God. I couldn’t understand why this happened.

How the hell did someone pose as a nurse and come in here, take my baby, and leave without getting caught? How were they able to fill our IVs full of toxic drugs and steal a baby without any staff noticing someone in scrubs who shouldn’t be in the hospital?

It just didn’t make sense.

I dialed Rael’s number, but it went to voicemail.

Knowing he was distraught for multiple reasons, I called Jigsaw since he was the one with my boys.

The club had switched members around every twelve hours and rotated them between my house, The Crossroads, and the hospital.

Grim informed me who was at my house and updated the info with every change.

He was a good man—one of the best.

Jigsaw picked up right away when I called. “Hey, Nylah.”

“How are my babies, Jigsaw?”

“They’re fine. We’re watching old Batman movies and shows. They love Adam West.”

Good. “And they’re okay? Not upset?”

“No. A bit anxious, maybe, but Rael and Grim talked to them a few minutes ago before they left.”

“Is that Mama?” I heard Gavin ask.

“Yep. Wanna talk to her?”

I heard his excited reply before his little voice filled my ear. “I miss you, Mama!”

“Me too!” Gage shouted.

“I miss you both so much. My heart aches a little and needs your hugs to be better.”

“Mama’s heart is achy,” Gavin informed his brother.

“I can hug your heart, Mama!”

“Of course, you both can. You make my heart the happiest.”

Gavin repeated every word I said.

“You both be good and listen to Jigsaw.”

“Are you coming home soon?” Gavin asked. I could tell he felt anxious.

“Yes. Very soon.”

“With our new sister?”

Tears stung my eyes, but I refused to let the hurt creep into my voice. “Yes. I will.”

I had to keep that promise. The boys counted on it. I knew Rael would do everything he could to recover our baby girl. Believing in him, I held onto hope.

“Love you, Mama!”

Per usual, the twins said it together.

I thanked Jigsaw and ended the call. My chest should have felt lighter, but I knew it wouldn’t happen until I had my daughter safe in my arms again.

At some point, I fell asleep. Exhaustion won and took over, giving me a tiny reprieve from the madness around me.

It took a few seconds to realize why I had woken up. My phone was ringing, and whoever called was persistent. I answered with a groggy voice. “Hello?”

“Nylah Peters.”

In an instant, I was wide awake. “Do you have my daughter?”

There was only one reason to call me. I recognized his voice. It was the same guy who called me previously.

“Yes.”

“What can I do to get her back?” Somehow, I remained calm.

“I’m so glad you asked. A simple trade. You take her place.”

Terror swept through me, but I was more afraid for my baby than myself. I could handle whatever happened. Rael would save me. “Done.”

“Good. You need to do exactly as I say.”

I listened to his instructions and stood on shaky legs.

My body was still recovering from childbirth.

The pain was tolerable, and I knew it would fade with time.

It hadn’t been long enough for my milk to come in yet, so my breasts weren’t as sore and tender as I remembered them being after I had Gavin and Gage.

Mimi had come to the hospital and stayed with me, but she was asleep since it was after two in the morning. She slept through my conversation, but I wasn’t surprised. My sister had always been a deep sleeper.

I slowly dressed and pulled on my shoes, creeping past Mimi and Bones. His head was tilted back as he snored, leaning against the wall as he slept. Neither of them noticed that I left.

It occurred to me that I was probably walking into a trap. There was no guarantee that I would get my baby back, but there was also no other option. I had to try.

I picked up the hospital gown and tied it around me, hoping it would be less obvious that I was sneaking out if anyone caught me.

Bones stirred as I reached the door, and I pretended to head into the bathroom as he woke.

“Hey, Nylah. You okay?”

“Hungry,” I admitted. “Could you find me something that isn’t yucky hospital food?”

“Sure.” He smiled. “But we’re in a hospital.”

I shrugged, noting his attempt at humor. “Do what you can. I appreciate it.”

“Of course.”

Once he left, I followed behind him, taking a left where he turned right toward the vending machines.

Luck wasn’t on my side. Spook stood by a window, staring out as I walked toward him. I couldn’t hide it, so I decided to keep going.

“Hi, you need anything?”

“No. Just trying to heal and move around so I’m not stiff and sore.” I sighed. “Childbirth is rough on the body.”

“I remember with Stefanie.” They had a little boy. His son recently turned two. “Want me to walk with you?”

“That’s okay. I’m not leaving this floor,” I lied, hoping he would believe me.

“I’ll keep watch. Let me know if there’s anything I can do.”

He wouldn’t let me go far without checking on me, but that was fine. The stairway was around the corner and out of sight. I could sneak in there and hopefully reach the bottom before he realized I left.

It worked.

I was anxious as hell, and my side was hurting as I quickly descended. My pelvis was sore, and I hated walking so fast when it left me feeling drained like this. I should be in bed with my feet propped up. But life wasn’t giving me that option right now.

I reached the exit and fled into the night, making my way to the dark corner near the emergency room entrance, where I was instructed to wait. It wasn’t long before I saw a woman approach. She held a baby carrier, and I knew Gianna was inside it. Call it motherly intuition.

She stopped in front of me. “Peek inside. You only have one minute.” Her voice had a thick accent. Russian, maybe.

I nodded and lifted the blanket, relieved to find my baby girl sleeping, safe, and unharmed. “You’ll take her inside?”

“Yes. Wait for me.”

“Only give her to a doctor or nurse.”

She gave me a look that said I was crazy for saying it, and she could do whatever she wanted. But she listened. I watched from the doors, staying to the side and out of the way as the woman handed my baby over to the nurse at the triage station.

Chaos erupted as the nurse saw the ID bracelet, scanned it, and noted the missing baby had been returned to the hospital. That was all that mattered to me. All of my babies were safe.

The woman returned, reached for my arm, and hauled me away from the scurrying staff inside. I smiled as I watched them carefully check her over. Gianna would be fine. Rael would pick her up, and she would go home with him.

I didn’t struggle as the woman led me to a dark SUV and opened the doors. Without a prompt, I sat on the empty seat, noting that she sat in front beside the driver.

No one spoke.

I didn’t look for landmarks or pay attention to where we turned. It didn’t matter how far we drove or where we were going. I knew this could be the end for me, and I bravely faced it.

Was it courageous or stupid?

Both? I wasn’t sure.

I would give my life for my children, and I didn’t regret that. They were my whole world: Rael, my babies, and the rest of the Graven Bastards family. I would be okay. I’d survive.

I didn’t have to hope this time. Nothing would deter me from the truth. My Reaper biker and his Berserker would hunt these assholes down, and he would find me.

It was only a matter of time. Not if, but when. That was a certainty.

If I knew anything about this world, and my relationship with my crazy biker, it was that Rael loved me, and he would never let me go. I counted on his obsession, his love, and his endless desire to be near me.

My biker would come for me.

When he did, Hell would reign on earth.