Page 18 of Stone

“Hey, baby girl.” I scoop her up into my arms and bring her close to my chest, hugging her tight. “Did you have a good sleep?” Her blonde curls bob as she nods. I take her into the bathroom and sit her on the countertop. While she hums a tune that sounds similar to one of the sing-along songs from a kids’ TV show, I run a cloth under the faucet making sure that the water is only lukewarm, then wring it out. I quickly wipe her face with the damp cloth, which isn’t easy as she puts up a fight. She’s not the type of kid that can’t bear to be grubby. This girl would be covered in dirt and down with slugs and worms if I gave her half the chance, and she wouldn’t bat an eyelid.

“Can we play now?” She questions once I’ve finished towel-drying her face. Sasha had asked the very same question before her nap, and I’ll admit that I’d use the promise of playtime as leverage to get her to agree to take a sleep. She’s one bright little monkey.

“You can, but first we need to go downstairs because someone has come to see you.”

“Mommy, Daddy?” she gushes with big bright, hopeful eyes. Yet this seems to be the one thing that she doesn’t remember.

“No sweetheart,” I swallow hard because however many times I have to explain, this shit doesn’t get any easier. “Did you forget? They’re…”

“Gone to heaven to be with the angels.” She points to the ceiling before placing her palms flat against my cheeks and holds my head in her hands. “But I have you, Uncle Gabe.”

“Always,” I reply, forcing a smile on my face. It’s not easy to be upbeat, especially with the recent developments, but I have to be for her sake. “Hey, let’s go see who’s here?”

ChapterThirteen

Stone

Ifind Smoke and Oriana talking quietly in the Kitchen. Oriana’s face is no longer pale, and her body language doesn’t look like she’s going to bale. Which I realize I’m more thankful for than I thought I’d be.

The reality is that despite my initial reservations, I want it to work with Oriana. Not only for my own sanity but for Sasha’s, too. She needs someone who can stimulate her mind, encourage her development, and give her one hundred percent attention.

All I can offer is my limited skills in building random objects with wooden bricks that she demolishes in seconds. A knee to sit on while watching multicolored mermaids, and snuggles with a book at bedtime. Don’t get me wrong, I’m well up for that, but Sasha needs more. And however much I love her, I selfishly need more, too.

I need my old life back, involvement with the club, even if it has to be limited, because Sasha will always come first. But with Oriana to take on her general care, with the help of my brothers, I will be able to find the fuckers who took my family.

We both need Oriana.

“Hey, darlin’,” Smoke wiggles his fingers and waves at Sasha. Oriana turns to face us. Her face lights up at the sight of the beautiful child in my arms.

“Hello,” she coos as she steps towards us. “You must be Sasha. I’m so happy to meet you.” She holds out a hand to her in greeting, she adds. “I’m Oriana, but you can call me Orio, the same as all my other friends do.”

“Like the cookie?” Sasha giggles. Instead of taking her hand, she pushes herself forward, giving Oriana no option but to take hold of her from me.

“Exactly like the cookie.”

“Your hair’s pretty,” Sasha tugs on the end of her rich brown ponytail.

“Thank you,” Oriana replies. “So is yours. I wish I had curls like you.”

Sasha twists her body and glances my way. “Can we play now?”

“Sure,” I laugh at her determination. “Why don’t you show Uncle Smoke your new plushy while I show Oriana the house, because she’s going to be staying with us for a while.”

“Okay,” she says, once again taking everything in stride.

Oriana places Sasha’s feet on the floor, and she quickly goes around the counter to where Smoke is standing. Taking his hand in hers, she pulls him towards the toy box in the corner of the living room. “Come on, Uncle Moke.”

“Wow, not more teddies,” he fake smiles while throwing me a ‘thanks-a-lot-you-fucker,’ look.

Oriana and I stand side by side, watching their interaction for a minute or two before she eventually speaks up.

“She’s precious, Mr. Stone, and so bright and active.”

“She is that,” I respond with pride. “If you want to follow me, I’ll show you where your room is.” Oriana follows close behind me as I walk towards the back of the house. “You should find everything that you need, but if I’ve missed anything, speak up.”

I push open the door to her room wide and step back, giving her room to enter first. The room is bright and airy, thanks to the light filtering through the large window that looks out to the side of the house. A third of the room is taken up by the large bed, the head of which is pushed against the wall adjacent to the window. A freestanding double robe, chest of draws and bookcase, in the same light ash, fill another wall. But what I’m hoping will please Oriana the most, and indeed make it easier for her to do her studies here rather than on campus, is the large desk that’s sitting under the window with a plush computer chair tucked underneath it.

“It’s not working yet,” I point to the brand-new desktop computer, monitor, keyboard and mouse. “The new internet router has been installed, but Cub will be up later to see if you need help to set it all up.” This gear is better than what we have down in the clubhouse, but Smoke had insisted Cub was to get decent, up-to-date equipment for her to use.

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