“You got Feds undercover in the Warriors compound?” Sy asks. It’s the first time he’s spoken.

“Jesus Christ, Jesse, what the hell did you bring to us?” Nix runs his hand over his face. I don’t reply ‘cause I know he doesn’t mean to be an uptight ass. He wouldn’t walk away from this, not when there are innocent women being taken. But this shit is big. If Feds are in the Warriors, anything we pull could come back on us.

“You didn’t hear it from me.” Jackson nods.

“And you expect us to take your word?” Nix rocks back in his chair, fishing for more information.

“Your fucking knight in shining armor here”—he points to Beau—“picked up a woman belonging to a Warrior.” I look to Beau and watch him stand a little straighter.

“Don’t worry, our man hasn’t let on. He’s the one who let her get away,” Jackson challenges. I watch Beau relax slightly while Nix grows tense. Fuck that could have been some serious shit we don’t need.

“So what do you want us to do with this news?” I ask, not understanding any of this. So the Warriors are in on this. We go to them. Simple.

“Nothing. Let our men deal with it.”

“You know we can’t do that, Jackson,” I shake my head, not accepting his plan for us to stand down.

“Why the fuck not?”

“‘Cause as far as Bell is concerned, your department hasn’t exactly been successful.” I throw in the snide remark about my brother’s failure.

“Doesn’t give you the right to interfere in an ongoing investigation, Jesse.”

“It’s only ongoing ‘cause we gave you the lead, asshole.” I watch him recoil, knowing I’m right.

“Jesus, Jesse, what the fuck is your problem?”

“You’re my fucking problem. We got feelers out there and we’re gonna follow them through. With or without your help.”

“Jesse, if you fuck this up...”

“Oh, don’t mistake me for you, big brother. I’ve told Bell I’m going to do something, so I will do it.”

“And what is that supposed to mean?” He stands, pushing the chair back with force.

“Means what you think it means, brother.” I follow him up, but keep my cool.

“Will you both sit the fuck down!” Nix bangs the table but I don’t obey.

“Jesse?” Bell’s voice comes around the corner.

“Bell, go back and sit with the girls.” I don’t move my eyes off Jackson, still trying to gauge where he’s taking this right now.

“What’s going on?” She ignores me, picking up on the tension.

“Bell, out now.” The room stays silent. Jackson and I are locked in a showdown on what’s best for Bell.

“You found her.” Her voice is small, unsure. It’s not a question, but a statement.

“Bell, no.” I begin to try to explain but what is there to say? “Just come with me.” I tear my stare from Jackson and move around the table toward her.

“No, Jesse, tell me. Don’t lie to me. Tell me the truth.” Her hands shake at her sides and the small dip in the dimple on her cheek deepens, but not in a good way, rather in a way that makes my stomach tighten.

“Bell.”

“You’re scaring me, Jesse.”

“And I don’t want you to be scared, Bell.” I pull her close to my chest and try to offer her comfort. “So far it’s not much to tell. We have a lead, but where it’s pointing doesn’t look good.”

“Just fucking tell me. Tell me, damn it!” Her fist hits my chest and a lump forms in my throat.

“Bell, we don’t know for sure,” Nix speak ups, refocusing her attention.

“But you think it’s her?” She gains some composure and steps back from me to face him.

“Not gonna to lie to ya, it doesn’t look good.” Her hand reaches back for mine and I take it, giving her the connection she needs.

“Kadence, why don’t you take Bell to the front,” Nix calls and I look behind me to see both her and Holly had followed Bell in.

“No, I want to stay.” Bell shakes her head, not allowing Nix to order her out.

Pulling her back to me, I turn her to face me. “Bell sweetheart, I promise you, I will tell you everything. Just go take a seat.” Her lips start to part, ready to argue, but I give her a tight squeeze then nod to Kadence to take her back out to the sofa.

“I can handle it, Jesse,” she whispers before Kadence takes her hand and lightly starts to pull her away.

“I don’t doubt you can. But I don’t want you to have to. Let me sort this shit out. Give me five.” My eyes hold hers, begging her for the minute before she relents and nods.

“Okay.” She steps back with Kadence and follows the girls out of the kitchen. I wait a few beats before turning back to my brother.

“You fucking love her.” Jackson’s accusation is the first words spoken after the girls leave. The wind gets knocked out of me for a second and I give myself a moment before answering.

“I do fucking not,” I deny as my heart rate picks up. Okay, what the fuck is that about?

“You fucking do.” He shakes his head, pissed off.

“Shut the fuck up.” I brush off his words and try to smash down the feeling his remark stirs in me. Love? Fuck no. I don’t love Bell. Yes, I care for her and think she is someone special, but love? No fucking way.

“See why this just became a problem?” Jackson turns and asks Nix.

I don’t even respond this time. My head is all messed up with the thought of loving Bell.

Fuck me, what the fuck is happening here?

Twenty-Two BELL

Sex trafficking?

The words ring in my head while dread weighs my body down.

Paige could be alive. But living what sort of life?

“It’s not true.” I shake my head and turn to Holly. She reaches for my hand and I take it like a lifeline, like an anchor reminding me I’m here, in the present, receiving the worst news.

“Our contact is legit, but we’re gonna keep digging. We’re going to keep looking, Bell.” Jesse keeps talking.

“What are they doing to her? What sort of life is that?” I try to shake off the visions of what my poor sister might be going through, but the heaviness of the situation is too much.

“We knew any sort of news might be shocking, Bell. But we can’t get caught up in all of that.” Jesse tries to calm me again. And I want to so badly, but my mind and my body are at war and I have no idea who will win out, which will shut down first.

I’m not naïve to think Paige hasn’t been in danger, but sitting here and hearing where they think she is, the loss hits me all over again.

“You need to breathe, Bell.” Kelly tries to calm me this time. I look up from Jesse’s lap and see all the ladies, sitting close, all concerned for me. Nix and Sy are still standing near the bar, talking with Jackson.

“You’re right, I have to calm down.” I take a deep breath then move off Jesse’s lap. “So what’s happening? What are we doing to find her?” I wipe at my face and prepare to process more. Why are we sitting around if we have a name?

“You’re not doing anything right now, sweetheart. We have this handled.”

“Handled?” I repeat. “Jesse, I want to be a part of this. I want to help.”

“And I understand all that, baby, but we have to be smart if we have any chance of getting her back.” He takes my hands in his grip, keeping me still. “You have to trust that I have you.” I hold his stare, letting his calmness and the ferocity of his words calm me. “We all have you, Bell.” He leans forward and kisses my forehead.

“Jesse, I’m off. I’ll check in tomorrow,” Jackson calls across the clubhouse, breaking our moment.

Jesse looks up. “Yep.” He nods his goodbye before looking back down at me.

“You okay, Bell?” Jackson asks before leaving.

“Yeah, I’m good.” My body is shaking in fear, and uncertainty but I can’t let it control me. I need to be strong for Paige.