Page 79 of Claim Me

Nodding, Deirdre asks if she can call Sync. When I say he’s helping Indigo, she gets mopey and hides her face against my breasts. I’m cradling her when Kiera and Nora exit the playroom and stare out the front windows.

“The police are going to take me away,” Nora says to Kiera.

“No!” my baby squeals and grabs hold of Nora. “Stay with me!”

“Me, too!” Deirdre cries and runs over to hug Nora from the back.

With a little assistance from Natasha, I get to my feet. Glen exits the playroom and looks outside. He glances down and touches the crotch of his pants.

“I made a mess and got Indigo in trouble,” he says as his face pinches and tears fill his eyes.

Wrapping my arms around his little body, I promise he did nothing wrong. Glen looks outside where the cruisers’ lights still flash. After yelling at Kovak Syndicate security and making threats about busting through the gate, the cops have given up on entering the estate. They are waiting for something now.

“We can’t make them smile,” Hector tells Natasha behind me. “My friends have sad faces.”

“I know,” his mom replies. “They had a scary day.”

Jacinda and Hector watch the kids who encircle me. I usually know how to fix bad feelings, but I’m scared right now. My stomach is also upset from the shitty pizza and stress. I keep hearing the sickeningsound of the baton cracking against Indigo’s flesh. I want to hide and have someone else take charge.

“How about we go outside?” Natasha suggests as she notices her brother talking to one of the officers at the gate. “We can see better from the side patio.”

“Is that a good idea?”

“The fresh air might help with your stomach.”

“The pizza was so gross,” I whine dramatically, winning smiles from the kids. “Nora’s going to make me a good pizza once we’re back home.”

With Natasha’s help, I get my mama mojo back. We shepherd the kids outside where I settle into a patio chair while asking about pizza toppings.

“Indigo loves chicken on his pizza,” I tell them.

Nora leans close to me and whispers, “I know Indigo’s favorite vegetable.” Gasping, I gesture for her to share in my ear. “Mushrooms. He told me when he was at Caveman’s house.”

Her little smile is so nervous. I know she thinks Indigo is why she gets to stay at my house and wear matching clothes with the twins. Now he’s gone, and she’s afraid about her future.

“Well, we’ll get mushrooms at the store and surprise him, okay?”

Nora nods, trying to feel hopeful. Her nervous mood mimics her brother’s. Nothing will feel right for them until they see Indigo again.

Hunter sends a message saying the media has started broadcasting the incident. “There are videos. Don’t watch them!” she texts before calling and adding, “Please, don’t watch them.”

“Is he okay?” I ask, sounding scared enough to rile up the kids who immediately encircle me again.

“Tack said Indigo is on his way to the hospital to get checked out.”

“Hospital?” Deirdre cries and begins to cry. “Where’s Daddy?”

“Sync is taking care of Indigo,” Hunter says, sounding calm. “Indigo has some bruises. He’s going to the farm later.”

Deirdre ignores the reasonable words and starts wailing. I hug my baby while Kiera tries to get her sister to calm down. Nora and Glen step back like they’re in trouble and need to run. Natasha convinces the kids to sit in the grass with her.

“Indigo is really strong,” Natasha explains while flexing her muscles. “Bear said Indigo is one of the toughest guys he knows. But he’ll have ouchies, so you’ll need to take care of him tonight.”

Before anyone can answer, I hear approaching motorcycles. Kiera mumbles about her daddy, having forgotten Sync is at the hospital with Indigo.

As my parents’ convoy nears the security gate, I text my ex and ask about Indigo. I hadn’t wanted to bother anyone when they were in danger. If things are settling down, I can nag people for an update.

“Nothing’s busted but a whole lot of shit is bruised,” Sync texts back. “His eye is busted up, and he can’t hear shit out of his right ear. Be ready to calm your ass down, S. He’s going to look worse than he feels.”

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