Page 52 of Providence

She grinned up at me. “I only like you because you have cute kids.”

I raised an eyebrow.Is that so?I ran my fingers down her sides, and kissed down her jaw, grinding my uncomfortably hard dick against her ass. I turned her in my arms so my lips were a fraction from hers.Is that the only reason?

She leaned forward and kissed me. “Well, your dick is kinda pretty.”

I raised a single brow and she gave an exaggerated sigh. “Fine, I guess you’re okay too.” I huffed out a laugh, turning her back around so I could use her sweet body to cover my rather embarrassing boner.

We watched the kids play in their Satan-approved treehouse, Serendipity on my lap, her soft curves moulding to mine. Perfect.

When the kids started to get drowsy, and Sammie looked sunburnt as hell, I whistled and waved them inside. I helped Serendipity gather up the plates, lifting a sleeping Madoc inside, baby swing and all. He had Sera’s golden skin. Apart from the red hair, he was all Serendipity, and I couldn’t have loved him more if he was my own.

Dammit I was feeling sappy as fuck today.

The kids were arguing about what to watch when we walked into the kitchen, and a shiver of unease crawled down my spine. I turned, searching the backyard for something out of place but saw nothing. Waving the kids toward the living room and the huge ass tv in there, I turned back toward the rear of the property.

I’d been on edge since that day in the parking deck opposite Tenebrae, waiting for retaliation, but none came. Sera’s phone started to ring, and I let out a little whistle to tell her I was just going back outside.

My eyes scanned the walls for something, but there was nothing. The security system showed nothing, and everything looked fine. I’d check the front gate, see if Bear and Goose had come across anything, then I was going to go back inside and make love to the woman who held my heart. I pulled my gun anyway, just in case, ducking my head around the corner low.

There was no one there. I huffed out an aggravated sigh. I strode toward the front of the property, pausing when all the hairs on my body stood up on end. What the fuck?

I saw the little red dot on my chest too late, lurching out of the way, but not before a bullet hit my chest like a fist, knocking me back into the wall. Sniper.

SERA!I yelled, but it was useless, my ruined vocal calls emitting nothing more than a hiss. A silent darkness crept into my vision.

I’m sorry.

28

Serendipity

Iwas vaguely aware of the sound of sirens as I hunted around the kitchen for my cell phone. I finally found it in the fruit bowl, because where the hell else would it be, and I smiled when I saw Solomon’s name on the screen.

“Hey,” I purred.

“Dippy! Thank fuck! She answered,” he yelled to someone else. “The Cartel blew up Apocalypse in retaliation. Its a fucking mess down here. Get the kids and go to the panic room in the basement.” He was panting like he was running. “I can’t get Goose or Bear on the phone. Go, Dippy. We’ll be there in a minute, I swear.” There was more swearing and someone yelling “They are attacking the Clubhouse! Pull back!”

I heard a pop, like fireworks, but it wasn’t even close to the Fourth of July. “Marco?” I yelled, realizing he wasn’t in the kitchen with me. Madoc woke with a start, his wails so loud, so pained that I worried he’d been hurt.

I vaulted over the bench, landing in front of his rocker, but I couldn’t see any injuries. He just continued to scream.

I looked around, but Marco was nowhere in sight. Fuck, fuck, fuck. “Sammie! Cara!” I yelled, unstrapping Madoc from his swing. Cara and Sammie were in the kitchen in seconds, their eyes wide with panic.

“Where's Papa?” Cara said, her voice trembling.

I pushed them in front of me, heading toward the door to the basement. “He’s just checking stuff out, Sweetheart. It’s okay. Let’s just go down to the basement, into the safe room. You remember when we showed you the safe room right?”

Sammie nodded, his face pale but his eyes serious. Poor fucking kid. I watched the doors, as more popping sounds reverberate outside. Goose and Bear. Shit, shit, shit. I hustled the kids down the stairs faster, sprinting across the room, Madoc’s face going red with his cries. I made shushing noises, trying to soothe him, but nothing worked.

I pressed the code into the number-pad and the heavy door swung open. I pushed Cara in first, and handed Madoc to Sammie.

“I’m going to need you to be real brave for me, okay? I’m trusting you to keep them safe. You can do that right, Sammie? Keep them quiet and safe?”

Sammie nodded rapidly, but his big eyes were wide with unshed tears. I swallowed hard. “It’ll be okay, I promise. The guys will be here soon, and they’ll come down and get you out of here. Or me and Marco will get you. Do not open the door for anyone else.” I handed my phone to Cara. “If I’m not back in an hour, you call 911 okay?”

They both nodded, and I kissed the top of their heads. The room wasn’t big, but it was safe. State of the art. It had a cot on one side, and food. They’d be okay.

“I love you guys so so much. I’ll be right back.”

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