Page 8

Chapter 8

Dreamscapes

Jade

Walking down the hallway towards the bedroom we built for the twins, I crack open the door to find my husband rocking our babies to sleep. I lean against the door frame and watch as he hums a tune to them softly, and kisses both of their heads. My heart does a little flip at seeing my Rio soft for his girls. How does a man who craves the fight, whose hands are soaked in blood, hold these little girls as if they are the center of his world? I never thought I’d witness him being so hands on. I never feel frustrated or restless. He always comes in and takes over no matter the time of day. But I’m not going to lie, he makes me feral for him. My libido has never been this high before, and not just with him. All of them have stepped up and I couldn’t have asked for better dads for our girls. I’m so deep in awe that I didn’t notice him get up and place the girls in their cribs. His scent wafts over me, bringing me back to reality and snapping out of my thoughts.

Our eyes collide and he looks hungry for me. I back away from the door frame as he smirks. I giggle and rush back down the hallway as fast as I can, but I don’t get far. His powerful arms wrap around my waist, halting my movements.

“Kitten,” he warns. “Where you running off to, baby?” he asks, and I giggle as his nose slowly runs along the column of my neck, sending shivers down my body. I groan as his fingers slide into my waistband, slipping into my panties, finding my clit.

“Rio,” I breathe, pressing my ass into his hardening cock.

“I love when you call me that,” he groans, sucking the soft spot right below my ear. “Where are the others?” he asks as he continues to toy with my needy clit.

“Jamie is at the office, Spade is-s,” I pant, licking my lips, wanting to cum so fucking bad.

“Is where Kitten?” he whispers, licking the shell of my ear, but I can’t think. My senses are heightened with each stroke of his finger.

“I-I don’t know.” I whimper as he slows his pace, spinning me to face him. He presses me against the wall, removing his fingers from my soaked pussy, sliding them into his mouth.

“Mmm, sweet baby.” He growls, pulling down my red tank, letting my tits spill out. He gently rolls my nipples with his thumbs, causing my body to shiver.

“I miss them being pierced,” He admits, bending slightly, taking one into his mouth. I moan at the contact, gripping his black hair as he sucks the hardened peaks, swirling his tongue. “I love the way your milk tastes, it makes me fucking crazy.” He groans as my eyes roll.

“Big Man, I need you inside me. Make me cum,” I beg as I hear a baby's faint cry in the distance. I look down at him as he begins to disappear. “No, please. Stay, Dario. Please. Don’t fucking leave me. This is the only time I get to see you,” I beg but other voices get louder, and a baby's cry gets closer the further he disappears into thin air. “Noooooo!” I scream, reaching out to him as my vision spins and I’m thrusted into the present.

“When she wakes up, I want to know who the hell did this to her. It’s been forty- eight hours. I’m fucking worried, Reid,” Jamie spits as I slowly peel my eyes open. The white light blinds me and I shut them, not being able to withstand the intensity of it.

“You will give her fucking time. You know as well as I do that she will tell us, now chill the fuck out!” Spade demands.

“Don’t think because Dario is no longer with us that you’re going to call the fucking shots. Not. Going. To. Happen.” Jamie growls. I clear my throat without opening my eyes.

“The both of you shut the fuck up and stop arguing,” I rasp, my throat on literal fire. Immediately, I feel hands on my face. “Turn the fucking light off. It hurts too much,” I order as the room goes black with just enough light illuminating from who knows where. I peel my eyes open slowly, letting them adjust to the darkness.

“I’m in the hospital?” I ask as Jamie grabs my hands and Spade cups my face. My heart feels so fucking empty without Dario, and after having such a vivid dream, it hurts so much more that he’s not here.

“Yes, Princess. Can you tell us what happened? Do you remember what happened?” he asks and I nod.

“I do. Your fucking dad is what the fuck happened,” I spit as both of their eyes widen. “Wait.” I stop for a second and feel my stomach. No bump. “Where the fuck are my babies?” I shout, ready to climb out of this bed, but Jamie grabs my shoulders, pushing me down.

“Calm down, Jade. Or you're going to open your stitches,” he orders, and I take a deep breath.

“Someone better start talking before I lose my fucking shit,” I demand, but the looks on their faces paint me a picture of sadness and disbelief, and I want to think that those looks are all in my head because I don’t know how much more bullshit I can handle.

“Jade, baby. Walk me through what happened,” Spade says, and I shake my head.

“Where are my babies, Spade. Tell me now or I swear to god,” I spit as Jamie turns my face to look at him.

“My father is the one who is responsible for this?” he asks, and I nod as he lets go of my face and sends the rolling table flying across the room causing me to jump.

“Jade, focus on me,” Spade says, taking my hands into his and bringing them to his lips. “The ambulance brought you here. You lost so much fucking blood. You were hemorrhaging,” He stammers as tears form in his eyes. I swallow thickly as the tears drop down his face. I shake my head as my heart beats erratically in my chest. “You flatlined, baby. I thought I lost you forever,” he whispers, kissing my hands as the tears continue to fall. “The doctors did all they could and–” he says, and I interrupt.

“No, don’t you say it, Spade. Please. Where are my babies?” I rasp, as my eyes fill with tears.

“I’m sorry, baby. Haven didn’t make it. I’m so fucking sorry,” he confesses, and my heart drops. My baby didn’t make it? Haven is gone? I didn’t even get to hold her. I drop my head in defeat. The door suddenly swings open and a nurse comes in with a rolling cart, stopping midway, taking in the scene of destruction from Jameson’s meltdown.

“Should I come back at another time?” she asks, eyeing Jamie a little too closely.

“No, it’s fine,” I reply, and she nods, rolling the cart next to my bed. She lifts the baby, wrapped in a purple blanket, and places her in my arms.

Tears pour from my eyes as I stare at my beautiful little girl. “Hi, Hazel. I’ve been waiting for such a long time to meet you. God, you have your daddy’s eyes.” I sob, kissing her soft cheek. “I love you so much, Hazel,” I whisper, running my fingers through her dark hair. No wonder I had so much heartburn. This kid has a full head of hair, and she’s so fucking pretty. I see so much of myself, but yet, Dario’s features are so prominent. The bed dips beside me as Jameson leans his head against mine.

“I’m sorry for my outburst, but I’m right here, Princess. Isn’t she perfect, baby? She’s got your smile,” he says as I hiccup.

“She is. And I’m so in love,” I say as Spade comes to my other side, kissing my forehead.

“You did so good, Babygirl. I love you and our baby,” he says and I look up at him.

“I love you too, Reid. Always.” Then I nudge Jamie. “I love you too, Caveman. Forever and always. When do we get to go home?” I ask. I’d much rather be in my house than here, where it’s not safe for any of us.

“When do you want to leave?” Jamie asks, and I raise a brow.

“Today!” I say, and he nods.

“Well, I’m going to need you to get out of this bed and walk around some, then I'll pay our way out of here. Deal?” he says with a smirk, and I nod.

“Deal,” I say as the door swings open again, and two men in suits walk through the threshold. Spade and Jamie are up and standing in front of the bed, blocking my view, before they could make it another two feet.

“Can we help you?” Jameson asks.

“Yes, this is Detective Sinclair and I’m Detective Waterberg. We have some questions for Mrs. Rivers,” the detective states.

“Let ‘em through, it’s fine,” I say as my guys take a step to the side, never taking their eyes off of them.

“Mrs. Rivers, I’m glad to see you’re awake. Do you remember the events that took place forty-eight hours ago?” he asks, and I roll my eyes.

“Of course I do. Ask the damn question. I don’t have all day,” I spit, raising the bed up some more so I can swing my legs out.

“Do you recall who did this to you?” he asks, and I look at Jamie and he nods, knowing what’s coming next.

“Senator Dalton Callaghan,” I admit as their eyes widen in shock.

If they don’t find him, I will. I’m on a hunt and I will stop at nothing to put the monster down. Something we should’ve done when we had the fucking chance.

After finally getting home last night, it's been an adjustment, but the guys have been wonderful helping with Hazel. No one ever told me pumping is so demanding, but as I sit on my bed with these things sucking my nipples to death, I can’t help but smile while I watch Jamie in the rocking chair whispering to Hazel. Seeing this man go soft for a child is something I never thought I’d get to witness, but I also see the sadness that is in his eyes anytime Haven is mentioned. He blames himself for his father’s behavior and it’s killing him, I know it. He might think I don’t know what is going on, but I do. I just want to see when he’s going to man up and tell me. The phone buzzing next to me takes me out of my thoughts as Jamie raises his head to look at me with a raised brow.

“Who the hell could be calling at this hour? It’s the middle of the night for fucks sake,” he whisper-shouts as I hold up the phone, showing him it’s Flynn. Pressing the green button, I bring it to my ear.

“Yes,” I say, and he huffs.

“Is that any way to greet your father, Jade?” he says in a tone I’m well acquainted with.

“Hello, Father, how are you?” I say in a condescending tone.

“I’m fine. How is my daughter and grandchild?” he asks, and it’s like a stab to the chest. Making me miss my baby and their other dad. Why did this life take everything from me?

“Hazel is good, currently sleeping before her next feeding, and I’m just here if you want me to be honest,” I admit, which makes him sigh.

“Are you coming home to lay Haven to rest?” he asks, causing me to grip the phone a little tighter.

“No, I am not. I won’t be back there until the next council meeting unless you need me for something else, but I won’t be back there to do that,” I spit.

“Fallon. She’s of Irish descent, you know our traditions,” he says, displeased.

“I understand that fully, but she is also Italian and will be buried next to her father,” I say, getting more furious by the second.

“I see. Will you at least bathe her before you do anything else?” he asks, and I’m already shaking my head.

“I cannot,” I answer immediately.

“But you can. You are strong and powerful, Fallon. You are an O'Patrick,” he states as tears fall from my eyes.

“You don’t understand what you are asking me to do. You have never buried a child, Flynn, and what you want me to do is–” I say, but he interrupts.

“I may have not buried a child, but I buried your mother,” he spits, and I gasp.

“No, that’s not true. She’s–”

“Yes, I did. Do you know I have never loved anyone but her. She was my whole world. I never had eyes for anyone else but your mom. Still, to this day, I have never laid down with anyone, nor have I dated another woman. She was my sun, Fallon, and those pieces of shit took her from me!” he shouts. He doesn’t know. Fuck.

“You’re right, I didn’t know any of that because everything has either been a lie or a goddamn secret, but there’s something I need to tell you.” I say, swallowing thickly.

“What is it?” he asks, taking a deep breath.

“After returning with Kane, Jameson was put in Hillsboro Institute. We went in, guns blazing, but what was interesting was that when we were trying to escape, we were stopped and a gun was pointed at my head by a woman,” I say.

“What woman was that?” he asks, getting annoyed with me.

“Your sun. Are you sure she’s dead because the vile woman who stood in front of me looked exactly like her and wasn’t happy to see me. I stabbed her, by the way, but how can you be sure you buried my mother?” I ask, but silence greets my ears.

“Dad? You there?” I ask but still nothing. I pull the phone away from my ear to make sure the long distance call is still connected as I hear a crashing sound over the line.

“Dad, talk to me. Please, I need answers,” I beg as shuffling is heard on the other end.

“Fallon, that was not your mother. That disgusting woman is your aunt, and I know it because I’m the one who bathed your mother when she was brought back here. She had a tattoo of our people on her chest, and the woman I laid to rest was definitely your mom,” he informs me as I take a deep breath.

“Thank god because I didn’t want to believe that my mother hated me or that she would hide out for all these years when I needed her the most,” I admit, and he sighs.

“I gather you’ve been reading the journal entries, and I’m sure you know how much your mom despised her. Your aunt was very jealous of Theresa and hated how much people loved her. Keep reading those entries. It will help to give you more answers,” he says.

“Okay, I will. And yes, I will do the bathing with Haven even if it kills me,” I say, and he chuckles.

“It won’t, but nice try. Keep the traditions alive is all I ask. Kane will be back in town soon. Then I will need you both home for the council meeting. Please stay safe, and stay away from Teagan. Don’t underestimate her capabilities,” he warns.

“I know and I will. Talk soon.” I say.

“Love you, mo pháiste,” he says.

“Grá agat freisin,” I say, and the line goes dead. I remove the filled bottles and take off the attachments, putting everything to the side as I stand, walking over to Jamie.

“I’m going to go bag this milk up and put it in the freezer,” I say, and he nods. Before I walk away, he grabs my wrist gently, pulling me towards him.

“You know I love you, Princess, right?” he asks as I look down at him. I hate seeing sadness in his eyes. It’s not a look I am used to, and it breaks my heart.

“And I love you too, Jamie,” I say, and he takes a deep breath, letting go of my wrist. Slowly, I walk to the elevator, pressing the button, and the doors swing open. Stepping in, I hit the button for the main level and wait for the cart to descend. My mind is a mess, my heart is completely shattered. I don’t know how much more I can take before I snap.

The doors swing open, and I step out, heading for the kitchen. Once there, I put away the milk and go into the living room and stare out of the front windows. I’m not sure how long I stand here but my eyes must be playing tricks on me because I could’ve sworn I saw someone outside, just beyond the trees, but there’s no way. Jamie made sure the alarm system would detect anyone coming within fifty feet of the property, on top of alerting us if someone was trying to tap into the system.

An arm wraps around my shoulder, causing me to jump.

“It’s just me, Jade. Why are you standing down here like a weirdo in the dark?” Ryder asks, and I laugh.

“I’m not sure, brother, but here I stand,” I say, shaking my head.

“You good?” he asks, and I shake my head again.

“No, and I’m not sure I will ever be,” I admit, as he gives my shoulder a little squeeze and places a kiss on my head.

“One day you will be, and the same goes for the rest of us,” he says, and I nod.

“I’m ready to put everyone down, Ry. One by fucking one. I just need time to heal some more and then I’m coming to collect,” I say, looking up at him.

“And we will be right beside you. Always,” he assures me as I rest my head on his chest.

“Promise?” I ask, and he chuckles.

“You’re just as needy as Spade. It’s funny as fuck.” He laughs, and I elbow him in the ribs.

“But you love us, so there’s that,” I say.

“I do.” He sighs.

“What’s wrong? What are you not telling me?” I ask, and he laughs.

“Nothing that can’t wait.”

“Are you sure?” I say, elbowing him again.

“Ouch, would you quit it,” he scolds, and now it’s my turn to laugh.

“Pussy,” I say.

“Whatever. Go to bed sis, Hazel will be awake soon enough,” he says, and I nod, stepping away.

Walking back to the elevator, I turn to look back at my brother, who stands just like I was only moments ago staring out the windows. It seems we are all a little broken as of late, and it’s time for it to come to an end.