After Us (Next Generation #6) - J.M. Walker Page 0,95
cry for me not to give up. Brynn wouldn’t want that.
Someone cried in the distance.
I realized then that his mom had joined us.
Deep voices cursed.
Jaron stared at me. Begging. Pleading. It had only been a couple of hours since our daughter was taken, and I was already willing to stop fighting. But that part of me, the strongest part, fought with the side of me that was terrified I would never see her chubby little face again. Or kiss her fingers and toes. To watch her grow up into the amazing woman I knew she would be. To see her grow up and be an amazing big sister. She may never know her sibling.
I cupped my stomach, the tears rolling freely down my cheeks.
Hands covered my own. They were women’s hands, so I knew they were Eve’s, but I couldn’t look up. I couldn’t look into her eyes and see the pain that both Jaron and I had put there. If only we stayed home and had someone else grab us groceries. Especially when the mayor had already threatened us.
It was our fault.
Please God. Wherever she is, watch over her. And please give her back to us.
Jaron
Piece by piece, Piper was breaking. Right in front of me and there wasn’t a damn thing I could do about it. Not until I brought Brynlee home and safely tucked her back into her mother’s arms.
I had pulled Ricky to the side and asked him if there was something he could give her that wouldn’t harm the baby but would help her sleep. I didn’t care how many favors I ended up owing him after all of this. I just needed my girls safe, healthy, and home.
He ended up giving her a light sedative that knocked her out rather quickly. I kissed her forehead, brushed my nose against hers, and whispered I loved her until I was satisfied that she would get some sort of sleep before everything continued to go down.
When I left the room, a new prospect who had just become part of Hell’s Harlem and who came highly recommended by Shadow himself, came toward me. He was taller than most of the prospects and had an air about him that set me on edge.
“Cheesy,” I greeted.
“Jaron.” He nodded once. “I got you a phone.”
“Do you have any news?” I asked, taking the phone from him.
“No but I was told to watch over your girl,” he said, leaning against the wall by the door leading to the room she was currently sleeping in.
“I appreciate that, but I don’t know you.” Not that I wanted to be rude but after everything Piper and I had been through, Sammy and Cyrus were lucky that I even trusted them enough to watch over her when I wasn’t around.
“I get it.” Cheesy shoved his hands into his pockets. “I wouldn’t trust me either, or anyone else for that matter, but Greyson and Shadow both told me to stand watch. So I’m just doing as I’m told.”
“You can stand watch like you were told but I’m not leaving.” I slid down the length of the wall until my ass hit the floor. Just then, the phone rang.
Cheesy and I glanced at each other before I looked at the small display and saw a number I didn’t recognize flashing across the screen.
“Where the fuck is my daughter, Price?” I demanded, shoving to my feet.
“Now, that’s not any way to talk to someone who could very well end your life.”
“Where are you?” I repeated, my voice raising.
“She’s safe.”
“Give her back to me. You can have me instead.”
He grunted, the sound grating on my nerves. “Unlikely, but I do have instructions for you. I want to see you.” He listed off an address and before I could comment, he hung up. I tried calling him back, but the number had suddenly been disconnected.
“Fuck.” I shoved the phone into my pocket.
“What’s going on?” Cheesy asked, taking a tentative step towards me.
I looked at him then.
He brought his knees up to his chest, leaning his head against the wall behind him. A faraway look splayed on his face. He was young but there was something deep within his eyes that showed more than he let on. I had only met him a handful of times. He had become a prospect for Hell’s Harlem when I was in jail. Sammy and Cyrus briefly mentioned him and a few other new members. He was a good kid.