Julia’s eyes flash with fear, and it’s not until I step to the side that I seet Nova has a blade pressed to Julia’s stomach.
Dear god, this woman is trying to kill me. Now is not the time to be hard as a fucking rock, but shit, my Omega is a badass.
“She’smydaughter,” Julia’s voice trembles.
“I don’t give a fuck. You’re hurting her,” Nova growls. “Let. Her. Go.”
“Julia!” Kane’s voice barks from the doorway of the compound, and she stiffens. “Let Rica’s arm go. Now.”
Julia lets go of Rica, who whimpers, wrapping her little arms around my Omega.
“You can’t do this,” Julia whines on her way over to Kane. “She’s my daughter.”
“Don’t you fucking start with me,” Kane growls. “The sight of these fucking kids is pitiful. You’re lucky I’m willing to let you all get your fucking acts together before I take all these kids back with me.”
“You can’t take her!” Julia says in a rush. “Please!”
“Then grow the fuck up and be a mother,” Kane growls.
“I’m sorry. I’m a mess. I just miss him so much.” Julia starts to cry. But I can tell bad acting when I see it. Kane doesn’t seem to believe it either.
“Come on, Julia,” A woman steps out. “Let’s go inside.”
Julia sniffs, nodding her head before turning to look down at Rica. “Come on, sweetie.”
“No!” Rica screams, clinging to Nova tighter.
Nova bends down and picks Rica up.
“Give her to me,” Julia demands.
“I don’t think she wants to go with you. Do you, sweetie?” Nova asks Rica. Rica shakes her head.
“Come on.” The woman pulls at Julia. “She will be fine.”
Julia looks like she wants to argue, but Kane lets the woman pull her inside.
“Your brothers are inside. We’re about to hold church. You want in?”
I shake my head. “No. I’ll stay here with Nova. We have stuff for the kids. I trust my brothers.”
Kane nods. “Good to see you again, man.”
“Right back at you, brother.” I nod back.
“Julia seems like a peach,” Nova says when Kane heads back inside.
“Just the peachiest.” I look down at the scared little girl in Nova’s arms. “Hi, Rica. I’m Ian. You met my brothers yesterday. Will and Nick.”
She blinks up at me, pulling her thumb from her mouth. “They said they were my brothers.”
“That’s right.” I smile. God, she is so damn sweet. “That means, so am I.”
The smile she gives me steals my heart. “Hi,” she says shyly.
“Hi,” I chuckle.
“We brought some stuff for you and the other kids,” Nova tells her. “Want to see what we got?”
