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“Usually,” I answer. “Though she has gone nonverbal before, it’s been months since it’s been a concern.”
She nods, a small smile gracing her face. “It’s a big and stressful day. Let’s give her some time to adjust,” she reassures. “I’ll have the twins and Roe sit at their own table for the first few weeks until she warms up since she seems very comfortable with them. Will they always be dropped off together?”
“Yes,” Jade answers before any of us get the chance to. I smile at the fierceness in her voice.
“Perfect.” Her relief seems misplaced until she adds, “I’ll have you drop the three of them off at the office from now on. Someone will escort them straight into my classroom through the back to avoid the crowds and loud noise. As she adjusts, we can come up with a new plan. Does that sound good?”
Scarlett’s eyes mist as she gives a sharp nod.
“Yes, thank you,” I respond. “We really appreciate the accommodations.”
She smiles politely and points at the door behind her. “Why don’t you head on in and get them settled?”
It only takes a minute to get the kids settled in at their table and the bell rings shortly after.
“I think that’s our cue to leave,” Noah says, but none of us make our way to the door. We stand behind the kids, watching as they color at their new table.
“She’s going to be okay,” I say to no one in particular.
“They’re all going to be okay,” Ian emphasizes. Jade sniffles and Scarlett has her mask in place, but she can’t hide the emotions brewing inside her.
I drop down to my knees at Roe’s side. “Have a good day at school, Roe baby.” She smiles as I kiss her cheek and nods, still not speaking even though it’s just us. I push away the anxiety and take a calming breath. “If words are hard, just whisper in Kai or Cal’s ear, okay?”
She sighs a breath of relief and nods eagerly.
“Good girl.”
Jade kisses the twins on their heads. “We’re proud of you for the way you look out for each other. Remember we’re just a phone call away if you need us.”
“Don’t worry, J,” Cal soothes. “We’re strong like Daddy. We’re Roses.”
Kai grins. “Thorns and all.”
Chapter Twenty-Five Kade
It’s finally the day.
It feels childish, the excitement I have for this day to finally come together after so many months of planning and hiding things from Scar. It’s a pure rush of joy and a type of thrill I’ve never experienced before.
I’m not the only one either.
The stress of not finding anything at the first three locations is starting to wear on all of us. Especially Scar. She’s thrown herself into everything she can, reopening Steel Roses, finalizing plans for the new club, Poison, plotting next moves with Rachel, looking into the list Charles and Noah have created. She barely even sleeps anymore.
No one can survive being that on all the fucking time. We are past due for a fucking break and for something good.
Scar has known we’ve been hiding things from her. We all may have infallible poker faces, but I don’t think anything could hide our anticipation. Not from her. She catches me staring at her and gives me an indulgent smile. Yeah, she definitely knows something is coming.
“Am I finally going to be included in the circle of trust?” she faux whispers. Noah pinches her ass and she yelps in surprise before smacking him.
“Yes, pretty girl. You finally get to find out your surprise,” Declan appeases her. “But first, we have somewhere we need to be.”
She gives us all a suspicious look before asking, “Does this have to do with the surprise?”
Yes. How much are we telling her?
Now that I think about it, how are we taking her there?
Luca and Declan have a silent conversation before Luca nods and takes the lead. “Yes,” he answers. “We’ll drive and then put a blindfold on you.” Okay, that answers that.
