Page 47 of Saving Her
Before Thomas can finish—or I can run away—Kayden wraps her arms around me and hugs me so tight I’m wondering if she’s going to break my ribs.
“Babe, let him breathe,” her husband says. I’m in complete agreement.
“Chains, this is my brother!” she exclaims and fuck me, it sounds like she’s proud of that fact. She doesn’t even know me. What the hell am I supposed to do here? She pulls back to look at me. “Oh my God, you look just like our dad.”
Our dad. I’m definitely not ready for this.
“Is this a private party, or can anyone join?” Dom asks, and I’ve never been so glad to see the motherfucker. I look at him and I’m sure my face resembles a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming semi—mostly because that’s exactly what I feel like.
“Dom! Thea!” Kayden whisper-yells. “I’ve missed you.”
“Missed you, too, squirt. Are you giving King a hard time?”
“Of course not. I just haven’t got to hug him, or talk to him, or introduce him to his nephew. Oh my God, King. You haven’t met Little D!”
“Little D?”
“Yeah, she named him after Dad. I think she’s trying to make sure we’re all kicked out of the family inheritance,” Dom explains.
“I think I should probably go talk to Ford,” I invent, needing a break.
“He’s over there fighting with Dad. When things calm down, you have to come to dinner, King. I want time to get to know you. Here, take Little D with you. That will give Dad a baby to play with while Ford tries to hog my niece.”
She takes her son from Chains’ hands and thrusts him into mine. I take him out of fear he’ll fall if I don’t, but fuck, surrounded by all of Dragon’s kids and having them claim me as their brother has my heart beating harder it ever has. I didn’t react like this even when I was staring down the barrel of a gun.
“Actually, we probably all should get a seat,” Dom says.
I expect them all to go in front of me. I’m more than happy with bringing up the rear. I don’t even get that small favor, though. Kayden wraps an arm around my back and walks with me. “I’ve heard so much about you through Thomas. I know this couldn’t be easy for you, but I’m so glad to finally meet you,” she rattles.
“Thanks,” I say. “It’s n-nice to m-meet you, too.” I add, so I don’t come off being a total asshole.
We all sit down and somehow, I find myself in the middle with Dom, Thea, Chains and Kayden on one side of me and Thomas and Lyla on the other, with Ford beside them. Dragon and Nicole are right in front of me. Nicole stands up, leans over the seat, puts a hand on each side of my face and kisses my cheek. “King, sweetheart, it’s so good to see you again.”
Fuck, fuck, fuck.
“You too, Nicole,” I answer, feeling lame.
“There’s Nee-Nee’s cutie pie. You getting to know your uncle, little one?”
“Little D is here?” Dragon asks, looking around. His gaze lands on me. I guess he was so wrapped up in Tamsin that he wasn’t paying attention. I expect his scowl, but damn it, to continue the crazy that tonight has become he smiles at me. “Hey, King, it’s good to see you.” I moisten my lips and manage to nod. I couldn’t get words to come out of my mouth right now if I wanted to. Luckily, Little D comes to my rescue. He starts reaching for Dragon. “My boy wants his Papaw,” Dragon croons.
“Good motherfucker, I’ll take my granddaughter that you wouldn’t let me have,” Ford growls.
“Not if you don’t watch your language,” Nicole snaps, slapping Ford’s hand like an angry librarian.
“Sorry, Nicole,” Ford responds, looking ashamed. I notice it doesn’t keep him from taking Tamsin.
“I could have held both of them, asshole,” Dragon hisses.
“You’re too old. Your hands might start shaking and you’d drop one of them.”
“I really hate you. I’m just looking for a reason,” Dragon complains, making Ford laugh.
I take a minute to enjoy not having a kid in my lap. I like kids, but considering the kid comes with all this long-lost family that I’m not sure of just yet, I need a second to breathe. My gaze travels around and light on ice blonde hair. Gabby. She’s sitting about three rows in front of us beside Torch and a blonde that I assume is his wife. I notice Torch isn’t wearing a T-shirt tonight. I kind of wish he had. I need something to break the tension in me.
Gabby must feel my eyes on her because she turns, giving me a small smile. I return it, but I can’t help but notice her eyes are vacant. Before I can do anything else, her gaze drops, and she turns back around. She looks so broken. It makes me wish I knew how to help her. I notice Skull and her brother are in the front pew with, who I assume is, Gabby’s mother. Why the hell is she sitting behind them? It’s not like there isn’t plenty of room on their pew for her. I shake my head. It bothers me, but I don’t know the family. Maybe Gabby is just really close to her aunt?
I don’t have time to think about it any longer, because the preacher stands up to begin the service. I try to listen to what he has to say, but my surprises for the night aren’t finished. Nope. I look down and find Kayden’s hand in mine. I look over at her and she grins at me and squeezes my hand tighter.