“But we knew she was sad. She was just trying to be brave. Like Momma tonight.”
“Aw, babies. Your mommaisbrave and tough, but sometimes bad memories come back and make her a bit sad.”
“So it’s not a bad man coming to hurt her?”
It dawns on me why the girls are so jittery and clingy to me over dinner. They’ve seen the body language before. They’ve seen the absolute worst that can happen and I have no doubtthat their mother tried to shield them from as much of the bad as she could, but these are clever little girls. Seeing Loyal’s behavior after Goodson had her cornered would have brought their trauma front and center.
“Look at me, girls.” Their blue gazes find mine. “You are safe and you are loved here. You have a Daddy and a Momma and a building full of big scary uncles who love you very much and will do everything to make sure you are safe and happy. We protect our family and you are family. Do you understand?”
They nod their little heads before both dropping their forks on their plates and launching themselves into my lap. I wrap my arms around them, close my eyes and breathe in their bubblegum shampoo smell and rock them a little.
“Can we stay forever?” Addy whispers.
“Of course, baby. You’re ours now.”
When I open my eyes it’s to meet the warm dark eyes of Mama Debs, leaning on the counter in the kitchen with a soft smile on her face.
“Fatherhood suits you.”
The twins spin at the sounds of Mama Debs’ accented voice and they ditch me like yesterday’s news to throw themselves into her arms, talking a mile a minute about staying here and their momma and daddy. She runs her hands over their heads, tipping her chin to the door.
“The big manly men are next door talking plans, you better go join in the grunting.” She smirks.
“What about-”
“Girls, do you want to bake some cookies and pies with me?” The answering squeal and fist pumps answer that question. “Sage and the big littles will be in soon with the babies. I’ve got this, you go ahead.”
Knowing my girls are safe and sound with Mama Debs has me moving through the common room, right into the path of Fox and Nitro.
“Good to see you, brother,” Fox says, whacking me a little harder than necessary on the back. “How are our girls?”
Grinning, “Our girls are tough little things. We’ve had a couple of wobbles, but they’re doing good. Check them out yourself,” I push through one of the swing doors, giving Fox and Nitro a little peek at the girls who are singing something to Mama Debs as they gather the ingredients she’ll need.
“Well, fuck. Look at that,” Nitro whispers, a soft look on his face as he rests his temple on Fox’s.
I know what they’re seeing. Not the two scared kids they pulled out of a closet, but two little girls with long happy lives ahead of them. Even happier still when their monster is put in the ground.
“They’re gonna be fine,” Fox whispers, pressing a kiss to Nitro’s head.
“Yeah, they are,” I reply.
“Thanks to you and your woman,” Nitro says, turning to look at me. “Where is she?”
Looking around the common room I don’t see her or Joe. The DRMC men are busy catching up, and some of these fuckers are big enough to block Loyal from my view. Frowning, I move further into the room. They should have been back by now.
“Has anyone seen Loyal or Joe?”
Justice’s brows pull low. “They said they were heading outside for some air.”
“I didn’t see either of them when I was outside,” Switch says.
“Fuck!” Panic starts to claw at my throat, and I spin in place, trying to think of the places she could be.
“Chewy!” Rhodie barks, his phone in hand. “Where the hell are you?”
“Hmmm,” Chewy’s voice is loud on the speaker, “we’re with our friends.”
“Outside? Are you outside with Loyal?” I ask, shoving past Judge who mean mugs me.
