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Chapter Eighteen
Jax
It’s seriously a good thing that Nix sleeps like the dead, otherwise Raven’s screams last night would have woken her and the whole surprise could have been ruined. Luckily, she just woke the rest of us.
I have no idea what Rebel was doing to her – besides fucking, obviously – but I sure as fuck wasn’t the only one awake, harder than hell, and horny last night. The guys’ chat was active, everyone hurling abuse at Rebel, who was obviously too busy to notice, but he’ll be a smug bastard today, sure as shit.
Thankfully he’ll have to spare us the details in Nix’s presence. I just hope Raven’s not too tired to enjoy Nix’s return. What am I saying? She could be on her deathbed, one foot in the grave already and she’d celebrate Nix’s arrival back home. I have nothing to worry about.
Except the authorities breaking down our door because Baxter fucking kidnapped a child.
Fuck.
I’m trying to tell myself that it’s okay, because his name is on Nix’s birth certificate it’ll all be fine, but I’m nervous as fuck. Maybe if Baxter had just confided in us, told us his plans, we could have done...something. But this rash and impulsive move seems so out of character for him. It’s the only reason I’ve not given him hell; he must have a damn good reason for taking her.
But fuck was it difficult to bite my tongue when he walked through the door yesterday evening with Nix asleep in his arms, curled up under his jacket. A thousand questions burned my tongue and from the evil smile he gave me as he carefully pressed one finger to his lips, he damn well knew it too. I had to wait until he had put her into bed before I could question him but he slipped out of the house without me noticing. I’ve been up all night waiting for his return. I haven’t slept and I have no answers.
A gentle rap on my door disturbs my thoughts, and when I open it I discover Ace grinning at me like a loon. Of course he’s excited. The repercussions of Baxter taking Nix wouldn’t even occur to him.
“What’s up mate?”
“Special day. Special breakfast.”
“Yeah, alright. I’m coming. Let me get dressed first.” Good thing I’m an early riser and have already worked out and showered.
I push my worry to the side, not wanting to spoil the big reveal or put a downer on today. So long as we make it through without being arrested, there will be time for answers later.
I pull on my clothes for the day and make my way downstairs to join Ace in the kitchen. Ace is busy flipping pancakes and Thorn is getting drinks ready, pouring juice while the hot chocolate blends.
“What do you need me to do? Did anyone wake Rebel up?”
“I’m here.” He calls sleepily from the doorway behind me. He’s yawning and looks thoroughly fucked. Bastard. “Jeez it’s early, can’t a man get some sleep?”
“No sympathy,” Ace snaps good naturedly.
“What? Why?” Rebel pouts.
“You obviously didn’t check your phone this morning,” I say.
“What? No. I think I dropped it somewhere. Maybe the dining room or I left it in the car.” He looks like he couldn’t give two fucks where his phone is and we all know why.
“Well, in that case allow me to enlighten you. The reason for the lack of sympathy is because we were all treated to your little concert last night.”
“I wasn’t playing music last night?” He scratches his head and I want to smack him. Instead I stare pointedly at him until the penny drops.
“Oh! Oh, right, yeah. Erm…sorry about that?” He laughs, not sorry at all.
“So everyone’s had about the same amount of sleep as you, we just didn’t have such a good time.”
“Damn. Next time I need to pay for better soundproofing I guess.”
“Help breakfast,” Ace snaps and starts loading items onto a tray. I have no idea if that’s what he wants me to do, but when he doesn’t snap at me I figure it’s okay. Thorn loads the drinks onto a separate tray and orders Rebel to carry it upstairs.
“Where’s Baxter?” I ask when everything's ready and we’re good to go. It’s a really shitty thing to forget about him until the last minute, and I instantly feel guilty. I know it’s not my fault that he didn’t grow up with us, but little things like being excluded from this are bound to make him feel like even more of an outsider. If he cares. With Baxter it’s always hard to tell.
“Watching. Guard dog.” Ace chuckles and I take it to mean he’s the lookout to stop and distract Raven if she wakes and tries to come downstairs.
“Okay let’s go.”
