I rolled my eyes, and we crossed the room to the crib.
Her hands went to her cheeks. “Oh, my gosh. He’s beautiful.” She sighed. “Look at those fingers.” A gasp. “And those toes. Oh, and the hair. I love his hair. Oh, I just love all of him.”
Without seeming to realize it, her hand moved protectively over her belly. “How long did it take you to fall in love with him?” she asked and then looked at me, a huge grin on her face.
“The instant Ms. Chen said he existed. Then, the first time I saw him…” I took a breath. “It was unlike anything I’d ever experienced. He was tiny and perfect and mine. I love him more than life itself. If something happens…”
“Jason won’t let anything happen. I promise that. And Ari will help him. My man can take down an army. A creep in a motorcycle gang is nothing.”
“I’d prefer it if we didn’t start a war,” Jason said as he walked into the room. “That’s the only reason Colter is still alive.”
Ari strode in behind Jason. Based on the way he cut a glance at Jason, his opinion aligned with Jason’s.
I took a step towards Jason, giving Ari space to join Anna.
Anna motioned for Ari to come to her. “Look,” she whispered. “Isn’t he beautiful?”
He reached the crib and smiled as he looked down. “Of course, he is. He’s my nephew.”
Jason’s family was something out of a dream. A snap of the fingers, and Elias had an aunt and an uncle who would love him.
“He is such a good baby,” I said.
Ari looked over his shoulder. “These are the ones who trick you into having more, and then they turn out feral.”
Anna popped him on the arm. “Stop that.”
“Do you need to rest a little, Anna?” Jason asked.
“No, I’m fine.” She smiled down at Elias again.
Elias sneezed a couple of times and gave a soft grunt as he stretched.
“Oh, I think he’s waking up. May I hold him?” Anna asked.
“Sure.”
She lifted him out of the crib and cradled him in her arms. “Oh, my gosh, little man. You are so precious.” She looked at Ari, smiling.
Ari ran his hand over Elias’s head. “He’s amazing, Cora.” He looked at me. “I’m sorry you lost your sister, but I’m glad you have him.”
“Thanks.”
Anna kissed his cheek. She was such a natural. She rocked side to side as she held Elias. “How are you doing?” she asked as she faced me.
“I don’t know yet.” I didn’t, but I could feel it. A landslide of grief was one trigger away from hitting me.
But not now. Not when I needed to keep fighting.
“Did they say what caused the accident?”
I shook my head. “No, but Kane showed up last night, and he said Colter has been acting funny ever since Maya died. It makes me wonder if he had something to do with it. Kane said he’s working on something, but he couldn’t say what. It sounded like issues were going on within the club.”
As if the topic upset his tummy, Elias strained, and the next minute the room filled with the foulest odor I’ve ever smelled.
Ari choked. “Oh wow.”
Anna rolled her lips in and looked at him. “My goodness. What have they been feeding you!”
