The air horn blasted. Chuck jogged down the slipway listening to Lieutenant Gomez on the cell phone fill him in on what Galeeno found out today. It'd been four days with no leads on Rachel or Stoddard. Everyone, especially Erikka, was hungry for any news.

"Galeeno's traveling to the northern part of Cabo as we speak, away from the tourists' area." Gomez rattled off an unrecognizable name. "Apparently, law enforcement doesn't go that far out of their jurisdiction, and he wants to sniff around and see what he hears."

Chuck jumped the last three feet onto solid ground and looked around for his Notus MC brothers. "How long will that take?"

"A few hours. Galeeno will call you with an update, regardless. My shift is over in an hour, and I have to pick up my kids for the weekend. I've let him know to report to Detective Harrison."

"Okay. Got it. Talk to you later." He disconnected the call and continued jogging.

This week had taken a toll on Erikka. Staying at his house without any work to keep her mind occupied had given her too much time to worry and convince herself that hope was dwindling. He'd tried to distract her, and for the most part, she handled her sister's situation better when he was there with her, and it would help with him having the weekend off. But when she was alone, she struggled.

At least they'd closed the search for Brad Moore. Wayne and Glen forced the husband to go home, and the man had ended up asking for a divorce and left again. Both parties satisfied, if not settled on their marriage being over after the other woman was brought into the picture.

"Hey," yelled Thad, waving his arm. "Lena's in labor."

Chuck slowed down as he approached the others. "Now?"

"She started getting contractions an hour ago and tried to wait until I got off work before she called." Thad fastened his helmet. "I'm going home and taking her to the hospital."

"Want us to escort?" Glen unwrapped a candy bar and took a bite, shoving the rest in his vest pocket.

"My parents are with her, and she's called her dad. I'll call if we run into any problems." Thad blew his breath out and looked around.

"Your Harley is behind you."

"Right." Thad turned and got on his bike.

"Pay attention to traffic," said Wayne.

Thad nodded, putting on his helmet. "I need to hurry."

"She'll be fine. Calm down." Glen grinned. "Women have babies every day."

"Not my woman." Thad started his motorcycle and took off.

Wayne looked up from his phone. "Clara and Gracie sent a text. They need to be at the hospital. Lena called them and want them there."

"Damn." Glen's upper lip twitched. "I was hoping to skip the baby coming out part."

Chuck frowned. "Lena will be okay, right?"

"Yeah, she's healthy, and the baby checks out fine from what Thad's told me." Wayne sat his Harley. "Let's get out of here. Anyone hear anything, text everyone but Thad."

Chuck nodded and watched the others ride off. Lena having the baby added one more thing to sidetrack Notus from the search. He started his motorcycle and rode out of the parking lot. Maybe a distraction was exactly what Erikka needed. Women got mushy over baby stuff. The boost in something good happening would help Erikka focus on miracles.

Fifteen minutes later, he rolled to a stop in his driveway. The fatigue that came after working an eight-hour day left him at the thought of seeing Erikka. Unlocking the door, he got one boot inside when Erikka lunged for him, wrapping her arms around his waist.

"Hey." He moved her farther inside and kicked the door shut.

She tilted her head, and he kissed her deeply. The first time he came home after they'd had sex, she'd greeted him at the door. Worried that something had happened, he quickly learned that besides the worry about her sister filling her days, she missed him when he had to spend his time at Port Loaders.

Erikka pulled out of the kiss. "Any news?"

He blew out his breath, letting the blood rush back up to his head. "Only that Galeeno is moving across the island, furthering his search."

"That's good, though, right?" She moved to his side and walked with him to the kitchen. "Rachel might be there, and he'd find her."

"We'll know when Galeeno calls and gives us an update later." He planted his hands on her waist and lifted, setting her on the kitchen island. "Lena's having the baby."

"Lena?" Erikka tilted her head.

That's right. In the chaos, she hadn't met Lena, only Clara, and Gracie. "She's married to Thad."

Erikka's back straightened, and she grabbed onto the front of his vest. "That's exciting. Is it their first?"

He nodded. "Yeah, Thad goes around acting like he's the first man to get someone pregnant."

"Do they know the sex of the baby?"

"They might, but they're keeping it secret from everyone else. We'll find out when the baby arrives." He lifted his brows. "Everyone is going to the hospital to wait. Do you want to go?"

"Oh, I shouldn't. You go." She kissed him quickly. "I wouldn't want to intrude, and you should be with your friends."

"We'll only be in the waiting room or wherever people wait." He ran his hands up her sides and cupped her breasts, tweaking the nipples through her shirt. "You can keep me company while I'm there to back Thad."

"You're a good friend." She shivered and pressed her breasts into his hands. "But, this is family time for Thad and his wife. They'd want you there, and I'd feel—"

"You're going." He kissed her hard. "They'll be fine with you there because you're with me."

"You're sure?"

He lifted her down and smacked her ass. "Let's go."

They walked into the waiting room of the hospital a half hour later to a crowd. Chuck ran into Lena's dad, Alexander Grimaldi, at the door and shook his hand. Mr. and Mrs. Bowers sat together beside Wayne and Clara. Glen stood along the far wall with Ingrid in front of him, wrapped in his arms. Gracie sat in a chair, writing on a card, a gift basket at her feet.

Mrs. B. spotted Chuck first and hurried over. He took her hug, kissed her cheek, and winked over her head at Mr. B. The two of them were beside themselves with joy at gaining a grandchild.

"About time she had that baby, huh?" Chuck straightened. "How's Thad doing?"

"Oh, you know Thaddeus." Mrs. B. laughed softly, happier than he'd seen her in a long time. "I wouldn't be surprised if he was in there showing the doctor how to deliver a baby."

Beside him, Erikka laughed. "It's an exciting time for you all."

Mrs. B. hugged Erikka. "It's so good to see you again."

"Thank you." Erikka smiled. "I'm going to sit over there and let you all enjoy the night."

"No, dear. Join in. We're all family here." Mrs. B. looked at Chuck. "You can keep Charles in line."

"Oh...okay." She leaned against him. "I'll do my best."

Chuck guided her to the chairs and then sat between Erikka and Gracie. He leaned over and read what Gracie was writing on the card.

"Ever hear about keeping it short and writing congratulations?" he asked.

Gracie nudged him with her elbow. "Ingrid wants everyone in the family to make a promise to the baby. You're next, so start thinking."

"I don't have anything to give a baby." He leaned back in the chair and put his arm around Erikka who remained in the same position. Usually, she leaned toward him. "Do you want a coffee or candy bar?"

Erikka shook her head. "I'm fine."

He tugged her closer to him. "Hospitals stink."

"Yeah." She sighed and put her hand on his thigh. "Think of it as a sterile and safe environment for a baby. It helps."

"Huh." He tilted his head closer. "Man, I can't imagine what Thad was thinking, getting her pregnant."

Erikka raised her brows. "You don't like babies?"

"Sure, doesn't everyone?" He shrugged. "But, you should see Lena. She's huge. It's got to hurt. I don't think I could put my woman through that. It'd kill me."

"Sh." Erikka patted his leg, her body shaking in amusement. "It works out in the end. Women's bodies are special."

"I agree with that." Chuck kissed her temple. "I like yours."

"Well, that's good." She laughed softly and pulled away as Gracie stuck the card in front of Chuck.

He removed his arm from behind Erikka and leaned forward, bracing his elbows on his knees, and read. Everyone in the family had something to promise.

I promise to love you unconditionally and spoil you rotten. — Grandma B.

I promise to protect, love, and support you for as long as you need me, and even when you don't. — Pop B.

Chuck glanced around the room and sniffed. Damn. Everyone sure had a soft spot for kids.

He read on.

Yuo got Notus protekshun for lif. — Unkul Wayne

His chest warmed. Someone would have to decipher Wayne's dyslexic writing for the kid.

I can't wait to meet you, little one. I promise to love you and teach you silly jokes. You're going to have a wonderful life. — Aunt Ingrid

You have a second home with us, and we will always let you eat as many cookies as you want at our house. — Aunt Clara.

If you're a boy, I'll teach you to ride because I'm better at it than your dad. If you're a girl, I'll make sure you never get on the back of a motorcycle until you're thirty. — Uncle Glen

Chuck grinned and looked over at Glen. The kid was going to be loved.

He hovered the pen over the card and read the rest.

I promise to be in your life from day one, little one. — Grandpa Grimaldi

Baby Bower, I promise to always be here for you through all the good and the bad. I will watch over you as if you were my own child and love you as much. You're a lucky baby to be born into such a wonderful family. — Aunt Gracie

He looked over at Gracie, who smiled softly at him, and whispered, "Don't copy mine."

"I don't know what to say." He tapped the pen against the card. "The kid isn't even born yet."

"God, Chuck." Gracie shook her head. "Reach down deep. Put some feeling into it and write."

He grunted. If it were his kid, he'd lock him/her in the house until they were twenty-one. Kids never used their brain. He hadn't when he was a child. Hell, there were times throughout his twenties and thirties he'd done stupid shit.

He sighed and wrote. When he was finished, he reread.

Kid, you come to me if you need anything. I'll be here for you. — Uncle Chuck

He held the card, wondering if he should pass it to Erikka when Gracie took it out of his hand.

"It's only for family. Not for your women." Gracie flickered her gaze toward Erikka and whispered, "It's an intimate gathering for family, waiting for a birth."

"She's not one of my women," he said. "She's the woman."

He had no idea what he was saying, but he wanted to be clear that Erikka wasn't someone he only partied with or spent his free time with. Erikka was different, and he wouldn't allow anyone to make her feel unwelcome.

"Hm." Gracie leaned back and read the card, then looked at Chuck. "See, you can be sweet."

"Don't spread that around, sweetheart," he whispered back.

Erikka shifted in her chair pulling away from him. He put his arm around her and tugged her back. She'd obviously overheard, and he knew it was going to be harder than he'd thought to make sure Erikka wasn't jealous of Gracie. He wanted the two women to get along.

A nurse walked into the waiting room. The tension coming from Erikka spread to the others for a different reason. Everyone quieted.

"I have an update on Mrs. Bowers. She's in hard labor now and doing wonderfully." The nurse smiled. "It won't be long, and baby will be here."

"Oh, my." Mrs. B. clasped her hands under her chin. "He or she is almost here. Thank you."

"How's Thad?" asked Wayne.

The nurse's smile tightened. "He's let us all know that he's still in the room."

The Notus members grinned at each other. They knew Thad better than anyone. He loved deeply, and any risk to Lena would set him off like a caged animal. Chuck almost pitied the doctor and nurses working with Lena.

Erikka turned. "I'm going to use the restroom. I'll be right back."

Unable to follow her, he watched her leave the small room. He lowered the arm that'd been around Erikka and raised the other, palming the back of Gracie's neck. She too had tension in her muscles.

"Is it me you're irritated at or Erikka?" he asked.

Gracie crossed her arms. "You."

"Why?"

Gracie blinked at him as if he was an idiot. "Nevermind."

He picked up her hand and pulled her to her feet, taking her with him out of the room. In the hallway, he stood her against the wall and blocked her from getting away.

"Talk," he said.

"You're telling me that Erikka's not one of your women, but I know you. You don’t get serious about any of the girls you sleep with." She raised her chin. "I can see how attached she is to you. She can't keep her hands to herself...at a hospital, Chuck. Where an innocent baby is being born."

"Gracie, —"

"Don’t make any excuses to me." Gracie huffed. "I know she's one of the women Notus is helping. That's all it is, so don't go fooling yourself and take responsibility for her. Once you find her sister, you'll drop her like a hot mess."

"Will he?" asked Erikka behind him.

He closed his eyes an extra beat before turning around. The conversation wasn't meant for Erikka's ears. She wouldn't understand his responsibility toward Gracie, and he couldn't tell her.