After Us (Next Generation #6) - J.M. Walker Page 0,113

darling.” Cyrus’s eyes met mine in the rearview mirror. “But whatever happens, we’ll protect you.”

“Oh, we should tell you that your parents are staying at the clubhouse for a few days,” Sammy pointed out.

My eyes widened. “What? Why?”

“It’s safer there and more secluded. I’m sure they won’t have to stay there for long but after your dad talked to Greyson, they both agreed it would be best. And we don’t know what’s going on with Price. He’s no longer the mayor according to the media. They’re saying he’s on leave due to personal reasons.” Sammy scoffed. “Right. We’ve always known he was a fucker, but we didn’t know how far that went until now.”

“Having a bar that underage girls work at, proves he’s sick in the head.” I shivered at the thought.

“Yeah, that’s only part of it, kiddo.” Cyrus pressed a foot on the gas. “But don’t worry about that shit. We’ll take you to your daughter and hopefully we can get an update on Jaron as well.”

I nodded, sitting back in the seat. I was on edge, my nerves racing and jumping through me. I was vibrating with excitement that I would get to see my daughter again. To hold her, smell her baby scent, to have her back in my arms and never let go. It wasn’t rational to think that, but I would keep her to myself at least for a few more years.

“We’re here,” Sammy said gently.

Hesitation coursed through me when I looked out at the large building. I wanted my baby girl back in my arms but then I also worried about how I would react when I saw Jaron. No one told me how he was actually doing. Just that he was shot, and he was fighting. No more details were said.

The door opened, revealing Sammy. “Come on, kiddo. They need you. Jaron…” His jaw clenched.

“Sammy?” I whispered.

Cyrus joined him, clapping his shoulder. “He’ll make it through this.”

Sammy shoved away from him. “You don’t know that.” Spinning on his heel, he stomped away.

My eyes welled, my chest constricting over the thought of losing Jaron. “Cyrus, I…”

“I know.” He held out his hand. “Give Sammy time. Jaron’s like our little brother, so it’s…hard.” When his voice cracked, a sob escaped me. “Shit.”

I covered my face, letting the cries shake through me.

“Piper.” Cyrus reached into the back seat and pulled me out of the vehicle and into his arms. “He’s a strong, stubborn fucker. He’s going to make it through this. He has to.”

I latched on to him, the scent of his leather cut wafting into my nose. While the smell was familiar, it wasn’t Jaron.

“Come. Everyone is here, including your parents. You need them and so does Jaron.” Cyrus wrapped his arm around my shoulders, closing the door behind me and leading me to the front doors of the building.

I was like a zombie, walking with him. Both he and his brother had been good to Brynlee and me. I remembered back to when Sammy first held Brynn. He was gentle with her. It shocked me at first because there were rumors that he had a violent streak. Whenever I had picked them up from Rouge after they had too many drinks, I had seen the women fawning over Sammy. But he would either give them a look or mutter something in their ear that would make them slap him or run off crying.

“Do you think Sammy will ever find his person?” I asked, my voice weak and hoarse.

Cyrus looked down at me. “You don’t worry about that shit, darling.”

“I just want you both happy,” I murmured.

“And we love you for that, but you know Sammy. He’s struggling. He won’t admit it, but he is. It’ll take a strong woman to put him in his place and not back down when he gets in one of his moods.” Cyrus shook his head. “But enough of that. You have more important things to worry about than our love lives.”

“It’s distracting.” But before I could say anything more on the subject, we reached the floor where I could only assume Brynlee was.

“This way.” Cyrus led me down the hall. “Your dad texted me that they were here with her.”

“You texted my dad?” I asked, my head whipping around.

Cyrus gave me a small smile. “Ever since Jaron went to jail, kiddo. I got your parents’ cell numbers and gave them mine in return. So did Sammy.”

“How come?”

“Because Jaron asked us to take care of both you and Brynn.