Page 102 of Seduction
“Good. Where’s my baby?”
“He’s with Ron and Tyler. I’ll get him,” Raven offers.
Nita pushes Daddy aside, cupping my cheek and kissing my forehead.
“You look so much like your mother. Lying here like this….” Tears shimmer in her eyes, but she tries desperately to blink them back. I take her hand in mine, giving her fingers a supportive squeeze. “Memories, baby. I’m just glad you’re okay.”
“Don’t worry about me.” My gaze flicks to Jon. “I’ll be fine.”
“I know.”
Gage’s phone rings, and he moves to the corner of the room to answer it. Just as he calls Jon and Daddy over to him, Raven walks in with Mikey.
“Hi, baby.”
I try to sit up, abandoning the effort when pain shoots through my body. He reaches for me, but Raven keeps him away.
“Momma has a boo-boo,” he tells her. All we told him is that I wasn’t feeling well and needed to see the doctor.
“I know, jit. We’re gonna take good care of her, aren’t we?”
“Yeah. Can we make her orchard?”
Raven giggles, enunciating the correct word, “Hor-cha-ta. Of course we can. As soon as we get her home.”
She sets him down on the edge of the bed, holding on to him so he doesn’t crawl up to me. I run my fingers through his hair as he smiles up at me, my heart bursting at his unconditional love.
“When are you coming home, Momma?”
“Soon. I’ll be home before you know it. Are you being a good boy for Auntie Raven and Uncle Gage?”
He nods vigorously. “Uncle Gage got me a new bike. It looks like a Harley!”
As he launches into detail about his new bike, I glance to the corner where the men are. They’re deep in conversation, and from the looks on all their faces, I know it has something to do with why we’re in lockdown.
“Has he told you anything?” I ask Raven, jerking my head in Gage’s direction.
“Nada. I only know Tek is working on something. With that man on the case, I’m pretty sure this will be over soon.”
“True.” I nod, knowing Tek was instrumental in helping her and Gage with their issues. “I just wish I knew what was going on.” I heard about the drive-by, but by the time I got to the clubhouse, they’d already started on the renovations and upgrades, so I didn’t even see one bullet hole.
“I just want it to be over,” Nita says. “I want to sleep in my own bed.”
“I hear you,” Raven agrees.
I turn my head toward her, disappointment taking over. “Another birthday ruined. I’m so sorry.”
“Hey, it’s a hell of a lot better than last year, so I’m not complaining.”
“After this is all sorted out, we’re celebrating. I promise.”
“Definitely. We have a lot to celebrate.”
The three men approach my bed, expressions grim.
“Sorry, shorty, but we have to go handle something. I’m gonna leave Charger and the prospect here if you need anything.”
“Go. I’ll be fine.” I wave him off.
