After Us (Next Generation #6) - J.M. Walker Page 0,114

His girls.” Cyrus nodded once. “They’re this way.”

As we continued down the hall, I kept thinking over Cyrus’s words. I wasn’t sure why I was surprised that the twins had my parents’ numbers. Looked like they took Jaron’s request and ran with it.

When we neared a room at the end of the hall, I could hear voices. My dad’s deep one along with my mother’s higher pitched voice. They were talking to someone.

Once I stood at the entrance to the room, I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. A part of me kept thinking that my daughter actually wasn’t here, and that Price still had her but when everyone glanced my way and my eyes landed on her, a sob broke free from my lips and I ran toward her.

Piper

She was back in my arms. My daughter. I didn’t know I could love someone as much as I loved Jaron. Not until I held Brynlee in my arms for the very first time. What would have made it better was if Jaron had been there, but he was making up for it. He loved her. I could see it. With the way he looked at her, spoke to her, interacted with her. She was his world and this second baby, would be as well. We were his life.

Please, Jaron, fight to come back to us. We need you.

“How are you doing, sweetheart?” Mom asked, running her hand over Brynlee’s head.

“Now that I have my daughter back, I’m better but…” I still couldn’t stop thinking about Jaron and how he was fighting for his life.

“Jaron’s strong.” Mom kissed the side of my head. “I’m glad you both are safe. We’ll keep praying for Jaron.”

“Thank you,” I whispered, my eyes welling.

Brynlee was sleeping against me, with her soother in her mouth and her stuffed pig in her arms. She was safe.

I had learned that after the guys found Jaron at the motel, Greyson brought Brynn to the hospital to get checked out. Thankfully, she was completely fine, and Price never hurt her. The hospital staff cleaned her up from the blood she was covered in. My mom had told me that she brought a change of clothes for her, so she wouldn’t have to stay in the bloodied clothes. I still couldn’t believe Price had left her that way. I knew he was beyond evil but it made me wonder why he didn’t just take her with him instead.

We were now sitting in the waiting room that was supposed to be for family members only but held most of the Hell’s Harlem members that were from this area. The hospital staff only said once that they had to leave. When the guys stood and stared at the young male nurse without even saying anything, the nurse left rather quickly. It had been amusing and something I never expected to see.

When my mom left my side to join my dad, Sammy and Cyrus sat on either side of me. I realized then that it had been something they did quite often. Even if we were standing, Cyrus was usually on my left and Sammy on my right. I never noticed the routine until now.

“Thank you,” I blurted.

All heads turned my way. I looked out at the faces before me. Most I had seen before and met at least once.

Jaron’s parents were off to the side.

My parents were beside them.

They had been talking amongst themselves before I spoke.

Clearing my throat, I shifted in the hard seat beneath me. “I just wanted to thank you all. For being here for Jaron.”

“We’re here for you too, darling,” Tray said from the other side of the room. His hand was clasped in his wife’s. Zillah smiled at me, her eyes sad.

A shuddered breath left me. “I need to see him,” I said low enough for only Cyrus and Sammy to hear.

“I know.” Cyrus stuck an unlit smoke behind his ear. “Sammy.”

“Not leaving her,” Sammy muttered, stretching his legs out in front of him.

“Fine. I’ll talk to the doctor and see if I can get more information on…yeah.” Cyrus cleared his throat, leaning over and kissing the top of Brynn’s head. “I’m glad you’re home safe, little one.” He stood, signaled for Cheesy and Locke to follow him and they left the room.

“I’m going to kill Price,” Sammy muttered, crossing his arms under his chest.

My head whipped around but he never met my gaze.

“Greyson has tried keeping our noses clean. Jaron did what he had