Page 6 of Seeking Salvation

Lotus grabbed the note from his hand and flipped it open.

Please take care of him. I wish I could, but he isn’t safe with me. Tell my baby boy I love him and always will, but I’m leaving him with people who can protect him.

His name is Tyrique.

xx

“Holy hell. Someone call Bás.”

As Lotus rushed out to get their leader, a strong unpleasant smell wafted around him, making him gag.

Bein began to cough, and Reaper held his hand over his face.

“What the fuck is that smell? I’m gonna puke.”

Duchess wrinkled her nose and walked towards him with the baby outstretched. “I think this belongs to you.”

Titan began to back away as the stench got closer, and he realised it was coming from the baby.

“Why me? Just because I found him, doesn’t make me responsible.”

Reaper patted him on the shoulder as he walked past. “Well, he sure as fuck ain’t mine.”

Bein smirked as he followed. “Me neither.”

Duchess wrestled the baby into his arms, cooing at the little guy as she did before her gaze came to his. “Well, it’s definitely not mine.”

Titan looked up hopefully at Hurricane, who shook his head.

“No fucking way. Just because I’m the only other black man, doesn’t mean he’s mine either. The only woman I’ve been with in the last two years is Peyton. Can you say the same?”

Titan frowned, as he tried to breathe through his mouth and ignore the warmth coming from the butt area of the baby’s blanket.

“You can’t leave me. I don’t know what to do.”

Duchess rolled her eyes but took pity on him as she grabbed the duffel and began pulling stuff out. “Nappies, wipes, nappy bags, clothes, formula, bottles. This kid doesn’t travel light, but you have everything you need here.”

“Hey, we haven’t established this kid is mine.”

Duchess shrugged. “No, but if I was a betting woman, and I am, I’d bet my husband’s bank account that he is.”

Titan growled. “Why? Because I’m the team fuck up?”

Duchess punched his arm lightly. “Don’t be a dick. No, because he has your dimples and nose.”

Titan looked down at the smiling baby, who had no clue he was currently making the room smell like toxic waste. He tried to see what Duchess was seeing but all he saw was his own fear staring back at him. He couldn’t be a father. He was no good. He hurt people. He couldn’t be trusted to care for something so breakable and innocent. Not after what he’d done to Maggie.

“What the fuck is that smell?” Bás covered his nose as he strode into the room and glared at everyone.

Duchess grinned and pointed at the baby in Titan’s arms. “That would be our new house guest.”

“The fuck it is. Jesus, do something about that smell. My eyes are melting.”

“How the hell am I supposed to do that?”

Bás pointed at the nappies. “Change it or whatever.”

Titan glanced at Duchess hopefully, but she backed away.

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