Page 39

NATALIA

T he days had gone by in a flurry of activity. Jose had slipped into our lives like he was always meant to be there. Life has a way of returning what belongs to you. He came to dinner every night, brought Gabe little surprises he didn’t need but loved anyway, picked him up from school and made sure he did his homework. Slowly, Gabe began to look up at him with a kind of light in his eyes that made my chest ache.

We hadn’t told him yet. It wasn’t the right time. We agreed to wait, to ease Gabe into it until he was ready. Jose never pushed. Never demanded anything. He was just happy to be a part of this…this family. The word made me swallow back tears. His presence in our home was a steady heartbeat and a quiet strength I hadn’t known I was missing until he showed up again.

At night, after Gabe was tucked into bed, he’d come to me and warmed my bed. He worshipped me with his mouth and his hands. Took me every way he could think of. I couldn’t get enough of him, and I didn’t want to. He owned me in every filthy, sensual, heartbreaking way. He’d disappear in the early hours before Gabe woke up. Only his scent and the lingering soreness between my legs were left as a reminder of how thoroughly he’d claimed me.

I felt peace and love had finally entered my home even though there was that uncertainty that came along with loving a biker. Even with the threat of danger, the weight of his patch and the scars on his soul, I had hope.

But my hope was about to shatter.

I left work and headed to the school to pick up Gabe. As I pulled up i searched the students milling around, but no Gabe. So I got out of the car, smoothing my scrubs, mind still buzzing from last night’s kisses and whispers and the promise of more. I walked into the school, assuming he was in his homeroom classroom and that’s my world turning upside down.

"I thought his father was picking him up today," his teacher said, looking confused.

My heart stopped. "No, that was yesterday. Today’s my turn.”

“But I saw a man come for him. He was wearing a leather jacket, was on a motorcycle.”

“A man? There’s no man. He should be here. Gabe always waits; he knows to wait for me."

I turned, starting to become worried. I ran to the window, scanning the sidewalks, the street, the surrounding buildings.

The school secretary checked the attendance system again. "He was marked present this morning."

Panic burst through me as I ran down the hallways, checking every bathroom, every room, yelling his name until my voice cracked.

"Gabriel! Gabe!"

He wasn’t there. He wasn’t anywhere. I turned to his teacher, needing to put the blame somewhere. “How could you not ask?”

“Maybe you should breathe. Call his father. I’m sure there’s an explanation.”

I stormed outside, my vision blurring. I stopped the janitor, the coach, another parent, but no one had seen anything. The ground tilted under me as I pulled out my phone and dialed. Tick Tock answered on the first ring.

"Kitten?"

“Do you have Gabe?”

“No, I thought you were picking him up today.”

“So you haven’t seen him?”

“No baby, I’m in Lafayette with Riddick.”

"He’s gone," I gasped. "Gabe. I can’t find him. He’s not at the school. He was here this morning but..."

"What? Are you sure?”

“I searched the school, there’s almost no one out on the streets. I don’t where he could be,” my voice broke out in a sob. “He’s everything to me, Jose.”

“I know, baby. Just don’t panic, I’m heading your way.” I heard him shout something out to one of the members and the roar of the engine was the last thing I heard before he hung up. I stood there, trying to breathe, trying not to scream.

And then my phone rang again. An unknown number blinking at me and I answered without thinking.

"Hello?"

Heavy breathing followed by a low, sickening voice slithered through the line. "Did you tell your man yet?"

My blood turned to ice. "Croak?"

“That’s right, sweetheart. You didn’t think I’d forgotten about you, did you?”

"Where is my son?"

He chuckled, slow and slimy. "You didn’t answer the question.”

“Fuck you,” I gritted, my fist tightened around the phone.

“Now that’s not how you speak to your future husband.”

“You’re delusional.”

“Possibly, but see, I have something you want. And the only way to get it back is to play the game and follow the instructions. Now…are you ready to play?”

I paused, angrily gritting my teeth before responding. “Yess.”

“Good girl. Now have you called that Tick Tock of yours yet?”

My hand shook as it took everything in me to respond and not curse him out. “He’s been called.”

“Perfect!” His voice went from elated to a low menacing tone. “Because I want him to feel it. I want him to know what it is to lose something. To watch it slip through your fingers like fucking ash."

“What does this have to do with my son?”

“Everything,” he sneered. “Why, you may ask? Because this boy's mother betrayed me.”

I shook as he spoke, fearing for the life of my child and for mine.

“If it's me you want, then let him go. He's just a little boy.”

“You don't set the rules,” he snapped making me flinch.

“You do what I say, when I say it, and he gets to live. Your man though…he's in my way.”

“What do you want?”

“See, now you're asking the right questions.” There was a heavy pause before he continued. “You come to me, and you come alone. Don’t bring your man, or your guns.Do as I say ad we will make a trade. The boy for you."

"You touch him, and I will kill you."

"I don’t think you’re in the position to make threats.”

“You don't know me,” I seethed.

“The boy is safe. For now. But that clock is ticking, little kitten. Come fast or never see your boy again."

The line went dead. I stared at the phone in my hand, my lungs locked tight. I had no plan. No time. All I knew was that my baby needed me.

A text message came through with an address. I jumped in my car, hands shaking, mind racing. I didn’t know where I was going, didn’t know what I’d find. But I went. Because I had no choice.

I knew it was stupid for me not to wait for him. It was stupid to just take off with no weapon, nothing to defend myself with. But this was my baby in the hands of a lunatic.

I fumbled with the phone and sent the address out to Jose.

Please find us in time. I prayed.

Praying. That was the only thing left to do.