Page 37 of Reaping Havoc
“Hey now, Daddy’s got you. None of that fussing.”
She stopped crying when she heard my voice. I picked her up, cradled her against my chest, and sat in the rocking chair, slowly pushing the artificial nipple into my baby’s mouth.
Gianna seemed less desperate and relaxed. Once she finished her bottle, I burped her, holding her close as my heart did a painful lurch. Nylah should be here, feeding her breastmilk instead of formula.
I looked up and caught several nurses watching me with what I could only describe as a look of awe. Ignoring them, I tucked my daughter close and kept rocking, nearly falling asleep.
But I couldn’t do that.
“When can I take my baby girl home?”
“I’d like to weigh her and see how she’s gaining,” one of them replied.
She had gained over eight ounces since they brought her in.
“I think she’s fine to come home.”
“I would normally like to keep her for observation, but your situation is unique. I hope you find your wife and she’s okay.”
Touched, I thanked her.
Twenty minutes later, I carried my little girl outside to a waiting SUV. Spook had driven it over as soon as I was released from jail. I sure didn’t tell the nurses about that shit.
I took Gianna to The Crossroads instead of home. I couldn’t arrive with a new baby sister and not her mama. The boys would never forgive me.
Trish met us as we entered the clubhouse, gushing over Gianna. “I’ll take care of her until Nylah is back.”
I set the carrier down on an empty table. “I appreciate you.” Leaning over the car seat, I kissed my little girl’s head. “Daddy loves you, Gianna.”
Whatever happened next, I would spill blood, unleash my Berserker, or do anything required to bring my Nylah home.
XENON POKED HIS HEADinto the bar. “Rael, you should see this.”
I walked into Xenon’s office, scanning the monitors. “Where?
“Here.” He pointed to his laptop.
“What the fuck am I looking at?”
“Gorbachev. I found him.”
I nearly hugged Xenon as he shoved me away. “Christ. There’s more.”
“Well, why do you always make me ask?”
Grim snorted. “Right? Fucker loves to build the anticipation.”
Xenon didn’t mind. We weren’t lying.
“He’s at the new club tonight. It’s opening on The Strip. I’ve got his image right here. A confirmation he’s planning to attend.”
“And Nylah?”
“Found her. Her image pinged on my software. The same club.”
“You’re fucking kidding me,” I growled. “This is too fucking easy.”
Grim thumped me on the back of the head. “Nothing is ever easy with those fucking Russian traffickers.”
