Page 18 of Locked Souls
She has light hair and chubby cheeks, with the pinkest little lips. “Fuck, she’s perfect,” I say, and tears fill my eyes. “I hate that we can’t be there too. The minute we can, we are going to do a handfasting ceremony and add everyone to our emergency lists.”
Jonas laughs and wipes his eyes. “Deal.”
“You guys are ridiculous, but my God, I don’t care. We have a girl. Finally, I mean, I love our little boys, but now we have a princess. She is going to be so spoiled.”
I can see the shopping trips and girls’ days out flashing in her eyes. “Since we have some time, we should swing by the house and grab her bags,” Jonas suggests, and I nod.
“Yeah, I could use a quick shower and change of clothes too. We should grab Levi something as well.”
“Sounds good, then we will get Eli and take him with us. I’m sure Chas is dying to see him, and I wouldn't mind checking in on Romeo. Jacob and Otto are in the waiting room, and it’s still as busy as when we left,” Tempest suggests.
I could kick my ass for forgetting my phone at the academy, but at least Tempest has hers.
“Did Jacob find Ash or Snake?” Jonas asks, and I can admit I’m surprised that he even brought him up.
“Snake never left. He was sitting in his car in the parking lot, and Ash snuck into one of the patient’s rooms and passed out in the spare bed. Otto found him.”
“Hmm,” Jonas says, then looks off out the window. We are at a fast food place that’s near the hospital. It was the only thing open this late, and we wanted to be close to Chas. I don’t think we are going to be able to give her any space after this ordeal.
We still have to figure out a way to keep her and our kids safe, but I’m not leaving her alone.
“Why, J?” I have to ask, but I know he’s just going to push me off.
“Because, Bast, I may wish things were different, but he still left us. Something in me broke when he took off without saying a word, and now that he’s back, I know Chas is going to forgive him with open arms, but I don’t think I can do that. I don’t think he can fix what he broke,” he growls, getting louder with each word. Fisting his hands, I reach over and grab one, giving it a small squeeze.
“Okay, J. Just give it some time.”
“Let’s just go to the house,” Jonas finally says, and I stand, grabbing my garbage and his, taking it to the bin to dump it, then we walk outside. The air is balmy, and the sun is beginning to rise.
Tempest yawns, and I hold out my hand. “Let me drive. You can nap.” She doesn’t argue with me, and hands over the keys. Jonas sits in the passenger seat, and she takes the back, stretching out.
“How do you feel, daddies?” she mumbles, yawning again, and I can’t stop smiling.
“Amazing. I can’t wait to get my hands on her, and show her how loved she is,” I say as we drive back to our house. “Do you think we should pack some bags, since Jacob mentioned a safe house?”
“Yeah, we probably should. I can’t wait til that bitch, Isabella, is gone for good. I… Do you think what Ash said was real?” Jonas asks, and I shrug, flicking the turn signal on and waiting until it’s clear to turn.
We have a two mile driveway that leads up to a gate. Levi wanted privacy and safety. I thought he was being extreme, but now…
“I think that The Society took advantage of him. As for the rest…I’m not sure. Ash was always the strongest out of us. I know you’re hurt. I am too, but maybe in a few days, you can have a proper talk with him.”
Jonas sighs, but nods. I reach the gate and wait for the sensor on the SUV to open it.
“Home sweet home,” I grunt as the large three-story gray house, with the wrap around porch, appears.
There is a huge swing set in the front yard, as Chastity didn't want the kids playing so close to the pool in the back.
Parking, I wait and look around. Snake took Chas for a reason, and if Isabella is coming for her, does that mean she’s been here, or knows where we live? It doesn’t look like anyone has been here, so I open the door and step out.
I’m on edge, and my spine is stiff, until the front door is unlocked and we are inside. “Should we like look around, make sure no one is hiding in the shadows or under the bed?” I ask, and Tempest snorts, shaking her head.
“Jacob said that Snake came because Isabella was making plans for Chastity. I don’t think she’s on the move yet. Let’s just hurry. I want baby cuddles.”
I leave them to go pack up some bags, and make my way up the stairs before I strip my clothes off with a groan. I need a hot shower, a five hour energy shot, and maybe a nap back at the hospital, in that order.
I don’t waste any time. I jump in the shower, wash quickly, then change into a pair of sweatpants and T-shirt. Jonas walks into the room as I’m packing a bag for myself and Levi. Half of the time we all share shit, but he’s particular about his own boxers.
Which is laughable to me, since we all share the same girl, and have crossed swords more times than I can count, but whatever. I guess I’m the same way about my pillow, as Jonas is about his coffee mug.