Pregnant And Rejected

Chapter 30 Kidnapping

Mom is sitting up now, leaning against my side with comforting warmth though I’m not sure if this was her intention, or if she’s simply too weak to hold herself upright. “You helped dad lead the pack for 30 years,” My hand dwarfs hers as I squeeze her bony fingers. “You have experience and insight I don’t. Please say you’ll help me.”

The limp hand beneath mine twitches, then slowly turns over to return my squeeze. “I know what you’re doing.” She scolds without conviction. Smiling tremulously, she adds, “What kind of mother would I be if I refused you?”

“A very, very bad one.” I tease.

A noise somewhere between a hiccup and a sob escapes her lips, “Of course I’ll help you.”

It seems no matter how small the victory, none can stand in this horrible new world order. No sooner had leased my immediate concerns for my mother’s state of mind, than a new disaster unfolded. I was on my way back to my office from mom’s bedroom, when Aiden’s voice burst to life in my head. We have a problem.

Stopping in my tracks, I braced myself for the inevitable. Tell me.

A patrolling enforcer found Arabella’s car abandoned down by the lake. He relayed. The scene appears to indicate foul play. All her belongings were still there, the doors open and signs of a struggle blood on the seat.

thunder internally, my heart struggling to

get down here – now. Aiden answers. By the marina. We’re not going to be able to keep this

I’m on my way.

of my most trusted guards. The emergency plan has been in place since the morning after my father died. I was prepared for another attack on the family, especially one targeting my wife and mother, but I never

anyone, Arabella is the easiest target to reach: she doesn’t live at the pack house and doesn’t have a standing

bad enough that I killed my best friend, now I’m going to have his baby sister’s murder

hope I’m

the rest of my life without walking into another crime scene, it won’t be soon enough. The sight of yellow caution tape and evidence markers is becoming so familiar to me they’re beginning to lose

site of a bar room brawl, Arabella’s apartment seems completely untouched. Her furniture is upright and her belongings tidy, all surfaces clear and clean. If it weren’t for the

out of place?” One of the

in a long time, I

he doesn’t share his thoughts. Not having any patience for withholding, I infuse pure dominance into my tone, “You doubt

instantly, shrinking in on

“Then what?” I demand.