After Us (Next Generation #6) - J.M. Walker Page 0,7

don’t know.” But before I could say any more, we were interrupted by other members of Hell’s Harlem.

As much as I wanted to see everyone, I needed Piper and to meet our daughter. I needed…hell, I didn’t even know what I needed anymore. I glanced around me while the club members got off their bikes and came toward me.

Piper was suddenly nowhere to be found. She said she would stay with me. She wouldn’t leave without telling me. Mom said she was going to check on Brynn. She must have gone inside with her. But it still didn’t make me feel any better.

“Jaron.”

I turned back around and found my uncles Tray and Catch coming toward me. While we weren’t blood related, they were the closest thing I had to family besides my parents. And now Piper.

Piper.

I needed to see her. I needed her in my arms. I needed to know that she was safe. That this was all worth it. That nothing would come between us again and we would be together forever. I needed her more than the air that was giving me life. I needed her in ways I couldn’t put into words.

“Hey,” I said, my voice not as firm as I would have liked it to be.

Uncle Tray raised an eyebrow. He lifted a tattooed hand and cupped the back of my neck. “You good, kid?”

No. I’m losing my fucking mind. I need my girls.

“Yup,” I muttered.

Uncle Catch came up beside him. “Have you met her yet?”

I shook my head, unable to voice my thoughts.

“Shit.”

I didn’t know who spoke. I didn’t care. I needed Piper. I couldn’t explain it. It was like this unknown force was taking control of me and I couldn’t think or do anything until I had her in my arms and knew that she was okay.

My vision clouded, my hands clenching into fists at my sides.

“Jaron.”

“Get Piper.”

Voices. One deep. One higher. Both male. I couldn’t place who was talking. Hell, I didn’t even care.

“What’s wrong?”

I spun around, finding Piper coming toward me with…her…our daughter…in her arms. My heart raced.

“Jaron?” Her eyes were wide. “Hey, talk to me.”

Once Piper stood right in front of me, I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her against me, careful not to hurt either of them.

“What’s wrong?” Piper asked, her voice muffled by my shirt.

“I couldn’t see you.” I pushed my face into the crook of her neck. “I was looking for you, but I couldn’t find you.”

“I’m here, baby,” she whispered, cupping my cheek.

I shivered, resting my head against her shoulder and finally looking at our daughter who was just over ten months old. Ten months where she didn’t have me, her father. My chest felt like it was closing in on itself, but I forced the next words out anyway, “She’s perfect.”

Piper’s breath caught. “She is.”

“Hi, Brynlee,” I murmured, my chest tightening.

Brynn sucked on her soother, her eyes locking with mine.

“This is your daughter, Jaron,” Piper’s voice cracked. “Our daughter.”

I lifted my head, cupped the back of Piper’s and kissed her fully on the mouth. “She looks like you,” I finally said.

Piper laughed lightly. “Maybe, but she has your eyes.”

Brynn stared at me, leaning her head against Piper. She held a small stuffed pink pig in her hands while sucking on a matching pink soother.

“Pigs?” I asked Piper, taking hold of Brynn’s hand.

“Yeah.” Piper laughed lightly.

“I thought you got over that obsession,” I said, staring into our daughter’s eyes. She did have my eye color, but the rest of her features were definitely Piper’s.

“You remembered?”

“Oh yeah.” Piper had been obsessed with pigs as a kid. I thought she outgrew it but clearly, I was wrong.

“Everyone else forgot.”

I met Piper’s stare then. “I would never forget anything when it comes to you.”

Her breath caught. “We should go inside. Your parents missed you but when you’re ready, we can leave and do whatever you want.”

I nodded.

“Did you want to hold her?” she asked softly.

I nodded again.

Piper handed Brynn to me and much to my surprise, she came into my arms willingly. It was like she knew. When she snuggled her chubby face into my neck, my throat closed, working hard over a lump.

Brynn sighed, holding her pig tightly in her arms and let her eyes close.

Piper ran her hand down her back. “She knows, Jaron. I’ve been telling her about you since I first found out I was pregnant with her.”

“Really?” I was taken aback by her words. “You did?”

“Of course.” Piper started walking toward my parents’