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sixty-three

Settling Down

Jameson

Four days later…

Getting Jaxon from the Brotherhood wasn’t as simple as we thought it would be. Unfortunately, they couldn't hold Monty there for whatever deal they have with him. That will have to be worked out another day. I thought the Brotherhood was all about reuniting families that lost their kids to traffickers, but no, it runs much deeper than that. Being that both biological parents were deceased, it was a whole new set of rules that I am utterly disgusted I even had to partake in. I don’t think we will be going through them after this.

I’m not even sure Spade truly knew what they are about, but Princess told me not to return without him, so seventy-five grand later, I now own a child. Own . I don’t like that one bit. The whole transaction was disgusting to me.

There were children, including Jaxon, being auctioned off to families that can’t have children. Why not just adopt? That’s what I don’t understand. So instead, there’s an auction for trafficked children twice a month. People gather in the middle of some fucking cornfield in Pennsylvania that the Amish own, and auction the kids off to the highest bidder.

The carnal urge to unleash The Carver on all of them was tremendous, but for the first time in my life, I thought before I acted. I couldn’t save them all. I was alone and could only do so much, but I will say that the three couples and the one man who bid on Jaxon are no longer fucking breathing. Fuck that and fuck them. I took extreme satisfaction slicing and dicing through their flesh as the life drained from their eyes.

It’s been too long since I’ve actually tasted blood, and with what I’ve just experienced, my blood lust was at an all-time high. It doesn't help that I was so far away from Jade, and her not being near, the voices came protruding at full force.

I don’t regret killing those people. It just brought another issue to the table, though. Those scumbags had multiple kids already. What got me was that they looked terrified, and not happy, rich kids. Yes, they were clean and had huge houses, but I know that means nothing. Shit, I was raised by the best mother around but my father was the monster underneath the bed. Abusive and mean.

Seeing those kids like that brought my childhood trauma to the forefront, and I had to do something. So, I stayedin Pennsylvania for longer than what I needed.

I placed a call to my guy so these kids had a place to go for now. Once I get home, we need to figure shit out because I don’t fucking like this. I thought we had a good pipeline for saving trafficked kids and that turned out to be a bust. There’s got to be a better way, or a way to stop it all.

Jaxon has been such a good boy throughout all of this. He laughs at my jokes. No one ever thinks I’m funny, but he gets a kick out of me and especially my music choices.

I’ve kept in contact with Jade, letting her know we were finally on the way. Something went down at the house a few nights ago that they won’t speak about over the phone. Spade texted me, but I was in the thick of it all and just rather explain everything one time, face to face. I told Jade when we get back home, I wanted to take her out. I haven’t gotten much time alone with her and she deserves a night out. She agreed only if there was food involved.

I can’t wait for the next doctor's appointment. I’m ready to buy one of those sonogram machines and hire someone to come in every week to check on our babies. I love listening to their little hearts flutter. She also told me that we need to do more renovations around the house. She wants to blow out her bedroom and get rid of the library. She refuses to do anything to the theater room because the kids will enjoy it and make use of it when they get older. Same thing with the indoor pool. So once I get back, we will start working on the plans and see what we can do.

Personally, I don't want my own room in her house. It’s our home now. I still have my apartment that I will utilize as an office and workspace. I’ll never give that up and she knows it. Dario uses The Mill with her as their office, and Spade is waiting for the warehouse to be done, then he will be there. It’s just getting our home life situated, which I’m excited as fuck for. I’ve never had a home that I share with people I genuinely love, to make our own, so this all has my adrenaline pumping.

She’s already got a crib for Jaxon situated in the room Kane was staying in. We will see how he sleeps alone. Otherwise, Little Man will be in the room with us until we can get him on a proper schedule.

I never thought I would be here, playing dad, and starting my life with a woman I can’t bear to be without. Spade gave me permission to get her a ring which sits heavily in my pocket. I just need to grow the balls and ask her already. Rejection and abandonment is a real thing that flows freely through my veins. Not that I’d let her say no, she’s got no choice in the matter, but it would be nice if she said yes willingly.

A few hours later, I’m pulling in through the gates and up the driveway. Jaxon is bouncing around in his car seat with an apple sauce pouch and a bottle of milk. No one warned me I would need to change diapers and such. This has been an experience in itself, but I think I handled it well. He just needs a nice hot bubble bath and some play time.

Shutting off the truck, I turn to the kid and he smiles big. It’s crazy how much he looks like Ryker, and it makes my heart drop that he will never know his father. Ryker might’ve been many things, and I didn’t know him as well as the others, but he was always a solid guy and protected those that he loved. Between us all, we will keep his memory alive. I’m not sure what we will do about Kayla. Jade will have to figure that out when the time comes.

Climbing out of the truck, the sun shines brightly, warming the air a bit for this time of the year. The time where the weather gets confused about what it wants to do in March, but today it feels nice.

Rounding the truck, I open the door and unbuckle Jaxon, taking his pouch and bottle, putting it in the backpack, and zipping it up. He jumps down from the seat and into my arms, babbling something I don’t understand.

Picking up the backpack, I throw it over my shoulder, shut the door, and head up the path. The front door swings open and there she is, the love of my fucking life, hair thrown up in a messy bun, black leggings and a cropped tee hanging from her shoulder, showcasing her little growing bump. Our eyes lock and she smiles brightly, running over to us. Jaxon must remember her because he’s practically jumping out of my arms to get to her.

“Jaxon, baby!” She yells in excitement, taking him from my arms as she hugs him. He lays his head down on her shoulder, resting his hand on her cheek. She looks up at me as tears form in her eyes.

“No crying, Princess. He’s safe. He’s home.” I reassure her and she nods, stepping into my space. She pulls my shirt and stands on her tippy toes, placing a kiss on my lips.

“Thank you, Jamie. Thank you for bringing our boy home.” She says, placing another kiss on my lips. I pull her in by her waist, deepening the kiss, only for Jaxon to push me away.

“Aye, little man. She’s mine, too.” I say with narrowed brows.

“No, mine. Go away.” He says so seriously and I can’t help but laugh.

“Now I have to fight with a toddler for your attention, too? Sheesh.” I say with a wink.

“Lunch is on the table. Let’s go get him settled.” She says, turning towards the house and stepping through the front door. I follow behind her, shutting the door and pressing the button for the gates to close.

Walking into the kitchen, Spade punches me in the shoulder.

“Thanks for getting back to me, asshole. I was fucking worried,” he says and I just shake my head.

“We will discuss that later. No more going through The Brotherhood for anything. That pipeline is closed, and they are lucky I was alone, because you would’ve lost your shit.” I say, and his eyes widen.

“Fuck.” He says, placing his hands flat on the island.

“Yeah, I’ll explain once we are together, just not today. I want to get Little Man settled and then take our girl out.” I say and he smiles, wiggling his eyebrows.

“She’s been insatiable, and her blood lust has been fucking real.” He whispers and my eyes snap to hers as she sets Jaxon in his new highchair, setting him up with some lunch. I can’t help but smile and watch as if she’s right in her element. Being a mom suits her and I’m not sure I want her to ever leave the house as anything else. I look over at Spade, who is also watching with a smile.

“I say we just keep getting her pregnant, like around the clock.” I suggest, and he sticks his fist out at me to bump.

“I can hear the two of you.” She says, looking up at us as she cuts a grilled cheese sandwich up into bite-size pieces.

“It’s a thing now, Princess. I love pregnancy on you. I might like it more than your blood.” I laugh and she launches a grape at me, which I catch and toss in my mouth.

“Sweet, just like you, Siren.” I say and she shakes her head.

“We will see when I get my first cycle what you love more, Caveman.” She chuckles. She’s not wrong, though. Spade nudges me and nods his head towards the living room, but before I follow, I round the island and wrap my arms around her waist, placing my hands over her bump.

“I hope my babies are being good girls for you, today.” I say, running my nose down her neck, causing her to squirm and press her ass into my cock.

“Jamieee,” she warns as I lick the scar on her face.

“Don’t you ‘Jamie’ me. I’ve missed you and I’d like you dressed and ready for a night out in a few hours.” I order and she laughs as I litter kisses down the back of her neck.

“Yes, sir. Anything in particular I should wear?” She asks and I groan.

“Something sexy with easy access.” I say and she giggles.

“Mmm, yes, sir.” She says as I place a kiss on her cheeks and give Jaxon a high five. I leave the room and go in search of Spade, finding him easily on the couch next to Dario and Ryder.

“Well, what’s up?” I say and they all look at me.

“The Aces are dead.” Spade says, and I laugh.

“Bullshit. Who did it?” I ask, and that’s when I realize Spade is cleaning Dario’s stitches.

“I leave for four days and all hell breaks loose. What the fuck?” I say.

“It’s a long story, but our girl put a bullet in both of their heads and now she’s been waiting for you to come home to take her on a kill. We need to get that shit under control, and now.” Dario says, wincing as he sits up.

“I can’t believe I missed it. Fuck. Alright, I’m taking her out tonight. I’ll talk to her.” I say and they nod.

Jesus Christ. The Aces are dead and Jade killed them. What the fuck?