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I sat up straighter. “Jay?” I immediately headed for the stairs, climbing them two steps at a time and rushing down the hall. I could hear her now. Such loud sobbing for such a little girl.
My heart stuttered as I threw the door open and flicked the light on. She was sitting up on her bed, tears staining her face and struggling to breathe. I ran over and scooped her tiny body into my arms. She clung to me like a little monkey, almost choking me.
“Jay, it’s okay. Breathe, baby.” I tried to soothe her, but her little fingers just dug into me deeper.
I wasn’t really sure what I was doing.
This whole parenting thing was new to me.
Parenting? Was I a parent?
“Rock her.” I looked over to see Eagle standing in the doorway, his face concerned. “Trust me, bro. I had little sisters growing up.”
I started to rock back and forth, making soft shushing noises. It took a few minutes but she slowing began to calm. Her grip never faltered, though, she wasn’t letting me go. I rubbed my hand up and down her back and took a seat on the edge of my bed, continuing to sway my body side to side.
“Is she okay?” Chelsea asked, pushing past Eagle, who’d settled himself against the door, watching intently.
“I don’t know. This hasn’t happened before.” I looked up at her, my eyes wide.
Chelsea held her arms out. “Jayla, honey.”
Jayla looked at her, but shook her head furiously and buried her face in the crook of my neck.
Chelsea looked surprised but just placed her hand softly on the little girl’s back. “It’s okay, honey. We’re here now. No need to be scared.”
Another sob shot through her body. “It’s okay. Don’t be scared. It’s okay. I’m not scared.” She repeated the same words that she had said to Rose earlier that day. My hackles stood up and a spark of anger shot through my body. I looked up a Chel, who stared at me, her brow creased in confusion.
I shook my head and mouthed to her,‘I’ll tell you later.’
She nodded. “Come on Eagle,” she murmured as she placed a kiss on the top of Jayla’s head. “I’ll find you a drink at the bar.”
She headed out the door, but Eagle held his spot. “Gonna be all right?”
I wasn’t sure if he meant her or me, but I nodded anyway. “Yeah. I’ll catch up with you in a minute.”
He hesitated before pulling the door closed behind him as he stepped out.
I sat there for God knows how long before I felt the tension in Jayla’s body slowly begin to soften. This was all so new. Jay and I had always had a special bond, but she’d also had one with Chelsea and other brothers and women around the club. But suddenly, since she’d been staying with me, our bond had strengthened. It was strange and I couldn’t exactly explain it. But I knew one thing, I loved this kid. And there was no way in hell I’d let anything hurt her, ever again.
I ended up laying down on my bed with her cuddled up next to me until she fell asleep. Her words resonated in my head the whole time, sending chills through me.
I knew now that things for her growing up had not been as innocent as we first thought. Maybe her mom, Hayley, had been scared to tell us the truth? Or maybe she had something to hide herself? I needed to talk to Wrench some more and see what we could find out. I needed to be prepared.
It was a good hour before I detangled myself from Jay and headed back downstairs.
Optimus stood at the bar chatting quietly with his woman. He looked up when he heard me approach. “Judge called.”
