Page 33

Chapter 33

Turtles & Pain

Spade

“Come on, Dad, fight me. I bet I can kick your butt,” Jaxon taunts, as he grabs the back of my chair. I place my cards down and wink at Ryder. Getting up, I look over at my son and laugh.

“You think you got what it takes to go against me?” I say, lifting both arms to show off my biceps. He laughs, karate chopping his arms in the air.

“I’m Jaxon, the newest green-masked turtle,” he cheers, and I laugh as we circle one another. Pop, pop, pop. I immediately grab Jaxon and throw him to the ground and get on top of him, protecting my child. What the fuck. Looking around, everyone has drawn their weapon, but I see no threats.

“Spade, the shots came from inside,” Ry shouts. Shit. Jade.

“Gio, get Jaxon and the others to safety!” I order as I get up and run towards the door of the mill with Ry on my tail. Swinging the door open, I check left and right and see it’s completely empty. The office.

Quickly, I race up the stairs two at a time and see Zayn lowering his weapon. I bum rush him, pushing him out of the way, taking in the scene. Both Jade and Hazel have blood splattered across their faces. Hazel is calm as a clam in Jade’s arms sucking on her little fingers. My eyes fly to Jade, but she stares at Zayn, then I see Monty’s dead body on the floor. Jade sways and I grab her, sitting her down on the couch. She screams, wrapping her hand around her stomach as water gushes onto the floor.

“Babygirl, look at me. Did your water just break?” I ask, my heart racing in my chest from both excitement and fear. What the fuck just happened in here and now what am I supposed to do? Do we go to the hospital? Is my son going to be born tonight? So many thoughts race through my head, but she screams again, taking me out of my thoughts. She grabs my hand, digging her nails into my skin.

“Jesus fucking christ this hurts. It feels like my pelvis is being cracked open. Fuckkk. I could kill you for doing this to me,” she spits, all that anger and rage laced in her wicked tone.

“It will be okay. Just take deep breaths,” I assure her, and she growls.

“Fuck you, Reid!” she yells, then shifts to look at Ryder, who is helping Zayn roll the body up in a tarp that Rafe just brought up. “Ry, come get Hazel and bring her to Ophelia. Have her take the kids home. Send Rafe with her,” she orders as Ry drops Monty’s legs like a sack of potatoes and comes to grab Hazel, taking her from the room. Jade’s scream permeates the air as her face squeezes in anguish.

“Alright, Babygirl, I’m not sure what I’m doing, but I think we need to get you to the hospital,” I tell her, and she rolls her eyes.

“You fucking think, smart guy,” she snarls. Lord, is she feisty tonight? I lift her up by the backs of her legs and she yells. “Put me down. I need to walk. Jesus christ,” she grits, slapping me away as she waddles past Zayn, who is busy tying some rope to the end of the rug.

“If you need anything, let Ryder know. I’ll see you later,” I say to Zayn and he nods, continuing his work as Jade takes the stairs really slowly. “You sure you don’t want my help?” I ask, and she turns her head, side-eyeing me.

“If I wanted your fucking help, I’d ask for it,” she says in a strangled tone.

“I know, baby, but I hate seeing you in this much pain. Let me just help you down the stairs,” I offer.

“Well, maybe you should’ve thought about that before sticking your dick in me. Then I wouldn't feel like my body is coming apart, on top of the fact that liquid is seeping out of me. I feel disgusting at the moment, so please, shut the fuck up,” she growls as she grips the railing, hunching over. Fuck this. I lift her up and carry her the rest of the way down the stairs, out of the Mill, and into the chilly night. She thrashes and screams at me as I get to my car. Wrenching the door open, I place her on her feet, and she turns to me with murder in her eyes.

“I hate you!” she says before getting into the car. I blow her a kiss, slamming the door. Rounding the car, I hop in and start her up. Spinning around in the gravel, I get on the highway and race to the hospital.

I can’t believe it’s happening. My son is going to be born. I just wish everyone was here to share the moment with us.

Eight hours later, the doctors decided it was time for Jade to have another c-section. She wanted to try to have the baby naturally, but her body had other plans. Needless to say my dark-haired, green-eyed boy is here weighing in at eight pounds six ounces and twenty inches long. My heart is complete as I lay beside my Queen completely and blissfully in love as I watch her breastfeed our son. I can’t take my eyes off of them, it's almost too good to be true. Now I just need Ry to get up here already so I can introduce him to his…Son/Nephew..Sonphew. I chuckle to myself, and Jade snaps her head in my direction, raising a brow.

“What’s so funny?” She asks, and I shake my head.

“You don’t want to know,” I say, and she pinches my nipple. “Ouch, what wasthat for?” I jump.

“Get your head out of the gutter. God damn it,” she seethes, and I laugh.

“No, baby. That is not what I meant,” I say, and her eyes widen.

“Oh, well then, my bad. I thought you were over there staring at me, thinking how radiant I look and how much you want to ravish me after I just gave birth.” She grins, making me smile.

“Well, duh, but,” I raise my finger up at her. “You worked hard for months on top of everything that happened today. You and your body deserve a break. But that was not why I was laughing. Is Prince Ry’s step-son or nephew? Or both. I’m not sure how to label it, so I laughed, thinking about it,” I tell her, and now it’s her turn to laugh.

“I never even thought of that. But that’s hilarious,” she says, lifting Prince up to her shoulder to burp him.

“I love you, Jade. Thank you for giving me a son,” I tell her, and she smiles as I lean down, pressing my lips to hers.

“I love you more, Reid. Isn’t he the cutest little baby? I can’t believe how green his eyes are. They are more emerald than mine.” She smiles, kissing the top of his head.

“He’s perfect, baby. Just like you,” I praise as she rests her head against mine.

Today truly was a perfect day, and it ended with the death of an enemy and the birth of a Prince.