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"You don't understand. She's soangrywith me. I'm taking her away from the people she cares about. Theonlypeople she loves, Marcus. This is absolutely horrifying! I have no idea what to do anymore! Mason can't have her. I don't even want to know what he would do to my little girl!"
"Shh. Stop that now." His short hair is a little messy tonight. I can't help but wonder which of the guys ran their hands through it. "That monster is never getting his hands on either of you. You have proven to love Layla above all else. She's a smart girl, so I'm positive she knows this. Layla's just a little scared and a little sad. If you have to leave us, she will still always have us. No matter how far away, we arealways with you. Sweetheart, you may be running, but it's not from us. I lo—"
A knock sounds on the door. "Guys, dinner is ready!"
I don't want to guess what Marc was about to say, so I hop down and give his hand a squeeze. "Let's go eat," I suggest and give him a watery smile.
JJ said dinner is ready, and that is a statement I am prepared to deal with right now.
ChapterThirty-Six
LEO
The only thing that works to calm my anxiety is either the woman across the table fighting to hold back her tears or the five-year-old snuggling on my lap.
"So, Rylee!" Gabby's enthusiasm startles my woman out of her thoughts. "I was wondering if we could have a girl’s night out this Friday. You know, before next week. I would really love to spend some time with you, since my brothers have been hogging all your dancing time."
Rylee frowns, looking around the table. "I don't know who would watch her, though. You’re the only one who is comfortable with that."
Layla is happily munching on a breadstick, trying to avoid looking at her mom. "We will watch Nugget!" Jude exclaims as he wiggles with excitement.
"Really?" Both Layla and Rylee ask at the same time. It would be cute if they weren't at odds with each other.
"Of course," I say with a nod and kiss the crazy white curls under my chin.
Jackson nods, a soft smile on his face as he offers a plan. "Yeah, we will pick the little miss up and hang out here while you have a girl’s night."
"Oh, yay! This is going to be so much fun!" Layla bounces on my lap with excitement. She turns to me with a larger-than-life smile, and my heart about bursts with love. She throws her tiny arms around my neck in the next moment. Layla squeals the words that cement her as mine. "I love you, Mister Lee!"
Eyes wide, I find Tate's beside me.We really need to solidify a plan to keep them here and safe.
* * *
I feel sick.
"You okay?" Marc's voice is tinged with worry. The hand he rests on my thigh settles some of my anxiety. "You're shaking, babe. How much coffee have you had today?"
Yeah, okay, so I should really start cutting back on the caffeine intake. "I'm just so tired," I whisper, hoping JJ and Jude didn't hear my admission in the front seats. Ever since we went out with Rylee a week ago and shit hit the fan, I haven't been able to settle my mind. Running on only a couple hours of rest a night, caffeine has been the only thing to keep me going. Which fucking sucks because it's unsettling my body now.
Marcus pulls my abused lip from between my teeth. "I noticed. Is there anything we can do?" I shake my head, causing him to sigh. "They know too, but we aren't sure what to do, Leo."
Looking out the window, I can't help but demand, "Make our girls stay. Please." The car stays tense and silent after my plea. The only thing that lifts my mood is the fact that we get our sweet girl for the night.
Parked at Rylee's, we all take a collective deep breath; our nerves making themselves known. We have never taken care of a child on our own before. Which sounds ridiculous. There are literally four of us.
"Hey!" Gabby bounds over to us when we let ourselves into the house. We look ridiculous in our sweatpants and sweatshirts next to what she's wearing.
Gabby is in a violet skin-tight mini dress that makes JJ tense a little. I'm amazed he doesn't tell her to put a jacket on. Growth!
The rumble that comes from him doesn't take me by surprise when Rylee comes into view, though. She's wearing leather pants that fit her like a second skin and a black leather corset-looking thing. Her copper hair is something out of a wet fucking dream. Her curls seem purposefully frizzed and wild tonight.
Jude's jaw is on the ground, and Marc looks like he's about to drop to his knees and kiss her black leather pumps. Me? I think I just came in my pants. Jackson takes a step forward and tries to dig an early grave. "Absolutely no—"
"JJ!" Layla comes bounding down the stairs in a matching blue set of sweatpants and a long-sleeve shirt. Dropping her backpack on the floor, she flings herself at our broody bastard.
"Hey, you! Ready to go?" It takes effort to bite his tongue, but Layla is the perfect distraction from the sexy as fuck vixen.
"Yes!" She wiggles in his hold until JJ sets her down. The little miss gives us each a big smile and snags her backpack again. With her flip-flops on, she hustles to the door.
