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Chapter Seventeen

F aith drove out of town toward the compound. She knew it wasn’t the smartest thing to do, but she didn’t care. Technically, no one knew she’d heard the message the social worker had left on her phone saying that LB’s uncle had said he’d take custody. When she’d talked with the person assigned to LB’s case yesterday, she said there were no leads, but she’d let Faith know if anything changed. The message from the woman today wasn’t from Faith’s contact person, and the woman didn’t leave a name or number. She just said she would be by Faith’s house at five p.m. to collect LB.

A shiver had run through Faith, and she’d known she was just going to leave school and head to the compound. She was supposed to be picking up LB from daycare today. Slice was working at the range.

She’d texted Sarah requesting that no one be allowed to pick up LB besides Faith or Slice and said she’d explain later. She also texted Slice that she was on her way and needed to talk.

Faith didn’t want to have anything incriminating in text, but she had a horrible feeling about this supposed uncle. Why wouldn’t LB’s normal case worker call or text Faith?

The compound’s gates were closed, but they opened as Faith turned the corner. Slice was standing near the gate, motioning her to drive in. Faith slowed down to make the turn and glanced behind her to make sure the gate was closing. She stopped the car and rolled down her window.

“Are you okay to drive to the next place, or do you want me to?” Slice asked.

Faith unlocked her seat belt and scooted across the seat to the passenger side, letting Slice get in and drive. He drove behind the clubhouse and down a road past some houses until he came to a large house with an attached garage. The garage door was open, and Slice pulled inside. Before they got out, the garage door closed behind them.

“Let’s get the boys in and we can discuss what’s going on,” Slice said, squeezing her hand reassuringly before helping the boys out of the car.

Faith got out and followed Slice into the house. When she walked in, the house was crowded with a lot of the MC.

“Isaiah and Micah, the kids are upstairs in the playroom and have snacks for after school. Let me show you where it is,” Regina said, taking the boys’ hands and leading them up the stairs.

Slice pulled her into his arms and held her tight. For the first time since she’d listened to the message, she could relax. Slice would help her figure this out and keep everyone safe.

The back door opened with Scoop holding it as Sarah walked in carrying LB in his carrier. She placed him and his diaper bag on the kitchen island.

“He didn’t even wake up on the drive over,” Sarah whispered.

“Thank you,” Faith said.

Slice dropped a kiss on her forehead, then looked around. “Where are we meeting?” he asked.

“In here,” War answered from the family room. Slice grabbed LB’s carrier, never letting go of her hand as he walked them into the room. He put the carrier on a coffee table and helped Faith sit down, then dropped down beside her.

“Slice, you sent the SOS. Who wants to tell us what’s going on?” War asked.

“I got this message on my phone while I was leaving work. It scared me so much that I texted Sarah to only allow Slice or me to pick up LB and then texted Slice that I had an issue.”

“Play the message for us,” War directed.

Faith fumbled getting her phone out. War had seemed nice at lunch, but he was all harsh plains and blazing eyes. He was scaring her a little.

She pulled up the message, put it on speaker, and pressed play.

Ms. Grimes. I’ve found your foster son’s uncle. I’ll be by at 5:30 to pick the child up and return him to his family. Thank you.

“It worried me. That’s not LB’s case worker’s voice. When I spoke to her yesterday, she told me they had no leads. This woman doesn’t identify herself, which I’ve never had happen, and there is no way that they could do a DNA test that quickly. LB’s case worker would never just give him to someone because they said they were related. It scared me when I listened to it, and I was scared to go home.”

Slice’s hand patted her thigh. “I think we need to keep Faith and the kids here inside the compound. Maybe we should set up a decoy and see who shows up?” Slice suggested.

Faith stared at Slice. Staying on the compound sounded like a good idea, but no one needed to pretend to be her and possibly get hurt.

“I’m up for dressing up like Faith and heading home in her car with the covered carrier,” Beth offered.

Faith had no clue how Beth, who had red hair and was a completely different body style, could pass for her.

Beth chuckled. “I can see the doubt on your face, Faith. I’m the queen of disguises. I can guarantee they’ll never know. I need to watch you walk a couple times back and forth across the room so I can imitate your walk.”

“I think Beth has a good plan. Dex, Bear, and Cannon can set up around the house and across the street. Let’s have Beth, Winnie, Slice, and me inside. We’ll see if they show up and also who they bring. Scoop, Sarah, I want to know if there have been any changes in LB’s record at DCFS. Dad and Roam, you’re in charge here. Let’s go, people,” War said.

Faith sat there by Slice. “You mean I’m just going to stay here?”

“You’ll be safest here at Regina and Baron’s house because you’re in the middle of the compound. We’ll figure out what’s going on. Has anyone asked questions about LB lately when you’ve been at work?” Slice asked.

“No. It hasn’t been any different this week,” Faith said.

She was glad she’d run to Slice and the MC, but she worried about what would happen.

“Faith, can you walk across the kitchen a couple times carrying LB’s carrier like you would into the house?” Beth asked.

Faith got up and went into the kitchen. She’d do what they asked, but she had a huge amount of questions to ask Slice after they met the person at her house. It seemed strange they weren’t involving the police.