“You’re staring,” she said, her gaze swinging my way.
“Just admiring the scenery.”
She rolled her eyes and went back to her movie. It was cute. I might have spanked her earlier, but I liked her sass. It meant she was getting comfortable around me. Of course, she hadn’t exactly been timid from the moment she’d woken in my bed. I found her curiosity and honesty refreshing. No games with my angel. She said what she meant, and if she had a question, she asked.
I hadn’t told her yet, but Dingo was bringing Meiling over soon. I wanted her relaxed when they got here. It wouldn’t surprise me if the visit was short. With Meiling expecting their first child, Dingo was even more protective than usual. He watched Mei like a damn hawk, and stayed glued to her as much as possible. When he wasn’t by her side, her mother was.
I hadn’t even thought about Mei’s mom when Elena had asked about the women at the club. Everyone called her China, the nickname Blades had given her, but she was still reclusive. It was rare to see her outside of their home, except for when she went to Dingo’s place. She and Mei had become close. As far as I knew, China didn’t even speak much to Adalia, Shella, and Lilian.
Fuck. Lilian.
I checked my phone, but still no update on the Pres’s daughter. I didn’t know if she’d been found, or if she’d managed to leave the entire state before they realized she was missing. If anything happened to her, Griz would lose his shit, and it seemed like Dragon might as well. I’d have never pictured the two of them together. Lilian jumped at shadows and Dragon had always been front and center with everything. Although, I could admit he’d changed some since the day several members of nearly every club across the southern states had been taken. He’d almost died during the altercation, and only Grizzly’s reluctant acceptance to let drugs come through our territory had saved the guy.
I also hadn’t heard back from anyone about Elena’s foster family. Either no one had friends in the area, or they had bad news they didn’t want to share. If anything happened to the Tolberts, I had a feeling Elena would blame herself. It wasn’t her fault, none of it was, but she seemed like the type to try and shoulder that responsibility anyway.
The doorbell rang and I got up to answer it. Elena cast a quick glance my way before going back to her movie. I hoped that she and Meiling got along. There weren’t a lot of women around the club, except the club whores. I’d prefer that she not hang out with them, but if that’s what she wanted, I wouldn’t exactly stop her. Not unless I thought they might hurt her. The bitch drugging people hadn’t targeted ol’ ladies, but she hadn’t had access to them either.
“Hey, Mei. Dingo. Come on in,” I said after opening the door.
Elena bolted upright when I walked into the living room with our guests. I made the introductions, then wondered if I should have told Elena about Mei’s rough past. It wasn’t a secret around here what she’d been through, but I wasn’t sure how my angel would react when she heard about it.
“Ladies, we’ll be in the kitchen if you need anything,” I said, then jerked my chin at Dingo for him to follow me. I knew if I didn’t prod him along, he’d just stay glued to his wife’s side. “How’s she doing? Baby okay?”
Dingo ran his hands through his hair, looking tense as hell. “So far everything seems fine, but I keep waiting for something bad to happen. Between her previous miscarriages and the abortions forced on her, I’m scared shitless that she won’t carry to term, and I know it will destroy Meiling. I told her we could adopt, even seriously thought about bringing home one of the kids we rescued when all that went down. She wanted to, but there were so many others ready to jump in, couples who had been together for a while and older widowers like Griz. We decided that we’d try to have a kid first and adopt later if it didn’t work out.”
“She’s in good hands.”
“Yeah, I know. So, how are things with the new woman?” He smiled a little. “I can see why you like her. She has that sweet and innocent look to her.”
“That’s because she was raised by a reverend and his wife. She is sweet and innocent.”
Dingo stared a moment. “Are you telling me she’s a virgin?”
“Yep. As tempted as I’ve been to toss her over my shoulder and go properly claim her, I don’t want to fuck it all up either. Her first time should be special. Isn’t that what all those damn romantic movies are about?”
He snorted. “Do I look like I would fucking know?”
“Really? You want to play that card? Do you really think I had no idea what you were reading all those times you thought you were being sneaky?”
“Shut up,” he muttered. “Meiling already gives me shit about it.”
“Learn anything?”
He flipped me off and I laughed. “Listen, I know that you want your girl to get to know everyone, but until Meiling is further along and we’re certain the baby has a good chance of making it, I’d really prefer that she stay home as much as she can. If Elena wants to come over, that’s fine.”
“I’d introduce her to Adalia, but I never know how Badger will react. His woman is in the same boat as yours, but I really don’t know if Adalia will survive losing another baby. I worried she’d hurt herself after the last one.”
“Yeah.” Dingo sat heavily on one of the kitchen chairs. “I think we all worried about that. She seemed so fragile for those first few weeks. I don’t think the doc wanted her to get pregnant so soon. I’m hoping nothing bad happens to the baby.”
Damn. I’d just realized three of the Devil’s Fury women were pregnant all at the same time. Meiling, Adalia, and Lilian. At least the kids would all be close in age and have playmates. Pretty soon this place might start looking like the Reapers’ compound. Another few years, we might be installing a playground like they did. I’d never thought I’d see the day that would happen. For so long we’d all remained single. Once Grizzly’s wife died, there hadn’t been any ol’ ladies left except Magda and she was ancient. Then Badger had gotten out of prison and claimed Adalia. Just six months ago, Dingo had claimed Meiling. Now I had Elena. If Griz didn’t kill Dragon for knocking up Lilian, I’d be willing to bet those two would pair up.
“We’re all getting domesticated and shit,” Dingo said. “Blades hasn’t officially claimed China, but I think it has more to do with all she’s been through than anything else. He doesn’t want her to feel like he owns her. You should see them together when he thinks no one is looking. The man is completely in love with her.”
“I’m sure that makes Mei happy. She finally has her parents.”
“Yeah, the three of them just had to go through hell to find each other. So what are you going to do about your girl’s situation?”
I didn’t have a fucking clue what he was talking about. The look on my face must have conveyed that because he winced, and I could see him trying to backpedal, which meant he knew something I didn’t.
“Start talking,” I said. “What the fuck is going on?”
“Shit,” he muttered. “I thought Demon messaged everyone about it. The Tolberts are missing. Disappeared along with Garrison West. No one has seen them or has any clue where they went. I don’t know if he took them hostage or if they went willingly. I don’t know if Wire is looking into it or not. He wanted to take the family out somewhere and has been gone the last hour.”