Page 43 of Raven's Daggers
“Our mom always let us help her in the kitchen, but after she passed, and we moved in with Zeke, he taught us a lot of what we know now.” Luis adds.
“Yeah, Zeke was definitely the best parent I could’ve asked for.” Damien quips.
“Well I’m glad you had Zeke. All of y’all. Eddie was definitely more a parent figure than my mom was.” She replies, her tone hardened. Her mom sounds like a real piece of work. We all had a rough start in life, however I’m glad it ended with all of us where we are.
Pulling up to the gates, she lets out an audible gasp.
“Guys, why are we at the safehouses?” She questions, surprise filling her tone.
“Happy Birthday.” We all say in unison. Pulling through, we park our bikes and get off. As soon as she takes her helmet off, I catch blonde hair flying towards us as a little girl runs and wraps her arms around Raven. Picking her up and twirling her around, me and the guys share an awestruck look.Yup, I have decided, one day she will carry my baby.
Chapter twenty-nine
Raven
Sitting here on the lawn, watching the movie on the makeshift projector screen, Blakelyn is laid out in my lap stuffing her tiny face with popcorn. Looking around, everyone seems to be enjoying it. All the kids have snacks piled up by them, Naomi and Marco are sitting with Sierra, while Eddie, Zeke and some of the parents chit chat. The guys really went all out, and honestly this has been the best birthday yet. Luis wraps his arms around me tighter, pulling me from my thoughts.
“So how’d we do for your birthday? Obviously we had to get Naomi’s help.” He chuckles low as he whispers, brushing his lips along the shell of my ear. Leaning back against him, I look at Damien on my left, then to Reyes on my right who are both looking at me with a look I’ve been seeing often on their faces lately. It’s one that I can’t decipher, either. Like awestruck or dare I say, love?
“You guys went all out, and it’s been the best day I could’ve ever asked for. This means more to me than anything else,especially seeing all these kids happy.” I reply, running my hands through Blaklelyn’s curly hair.
“Anything for you, Baby Girl. We wanted our first birthday with you to be the best.” Reyes murmurs, giving my thigh a slight squeeze.
“Angel, you deserve the world, and we plan on giving it to you. Seeing you this laid back and happy, is all we could’ve asked for.” Damien chimes in, running his thumb over our joined hands.
Looking back at the movie and resting my head on Luis’s shoulder, I enjoy what peace and quiet I’m getting, because once this day is over, reality will come back and I’ll have a stalker to look for. We are still no closer to figuring out who it is, and that pisses me right the fuck off. Not only is he threatening my life, but those I love. I’ve killed people for less, and this person is no different. Once I find out who it is, I’ll end their life for even thinking they can hurt what’s mine.
Once the movie is over, Reyes lifts a sleeping Blakelyn from my lap and we carry her over to her house. Lilly holds the door open and gives me a soft smile.
“I figured she’d pass out at some point. Thank you for this Raven. She’s been talking about it since the last movie night.” She cheers and my heart swells for this little girl.
“Don’t thank me, thank them.” I reply with a smile and point at the guys.
“Either way, you have made such a difference for all of us. Especially the kids. You can go ahead and carry her up to bed.” She whispers as she kisses Blakelyn on the forehead before we head up the stairs.
Watching Reyes carry her up the stairs, a new sense of love fills my chest. One I never thought I’d ever feel. Opening the door, I let him walk by me, Damien pulls the covers down on her bed and Reyes lays her little head on the pillow, bringing theblankets up. All three of them stand beside her bed. Walking up next to them, I lean down and give her a soft kiss, tucking in the little stuffed animal next to her that I bought for her birthday. Walking to the door, I turn and pause, looking at her one last time before walking out and quietly closing the door behind me. My phone buzzes in my pocket and causes me to jump. Pulling it from my pocket, I freeze when I see it’s from Unknown.
Unknown- Don’t forget to kiss her goodnight. Happy Birthday Sweetness, I’ll be seeing you real soon.
Goosebumps litter my body as I swallow thickly, as if it wasn’t chilly enough tonight, this just sent a shiver through my entire body, suddenly feeling a new sense of freaked the fuck out.Is he here now? Watching me, watching the people at the safe houses? Have I just put everyone here in danger, too?
Walking down the stairs, we say our goodbyes to Lilly and head back towards the lawn. Picking up empty cups and snack wrappers, I walk to the trash can when Naomi slaps at my hand.
“What do you think you’re doing? It’s your birthday and you don’t clean shit today.” She quips, slapping my hand every time I try and pick something up.
“So, just because it’s my birthday doesn’t mean I can’t help clean.” I retort, putting my hand on my hip so she will stop slapping it.
“Nope, the guys can take you home or wherever, I don’t care. We have plenty of help so you don’t need to stay and clean.” She sasses back and raises a brow at me, looking over my shoulder at the guys for help. Turning around and looking at them, they just shrug. Eddie and Zeke walk up, looking between me andNaomi and just laugh. They already know we are arguing about something.
“Raven, you can help clean if you want, but we’d rather you not. Like she said, it’s your birthday, we will take care of it. Me and Zeke both offered to stay and help.” He says, me and Naomi both start hysterically laughing.
“You both are going to help clean up?” I quip still laughing.
“Have you forgotten, I raised you and Naomi. Two teenage girls, and Zeke over here raised three boys. You act like we can’t manage.” He retorts, raising a brow at both of us.
“It’s not that I don’t think you can, I don’t know, just funny to think about, I guess.” I reply. “But fine, I’ll go home. See y’all tomorrow.” I huff out, knowing this is a losing argument. The guys start laughing behind me and I turn to pin them with a look, immediately making them stop. That just causes Eddie and Zeke to start laughing. Rolling my eyes and giving them my two-finger salute, I turn and walk off.
“Take care of her, you guys. Don’t let her boss you around too much.” Zeke yells and I can hear the guys huff out. Turning around, all three of them are tossing Zeke the middle finger over their shoulder, only making me laugh with them.