Page 144 of The Good Girl

“Okay then. Let’s get the hell out of here.”

G takes the lead, followed by Ambros, me, and Nevaeh, and then, Hannibal brings up the rear. When we get outside, Hannibal breaks off to talk to Ferris. Ambros lowers Citi gently to her feet.

“Let me help,” Nevaeh tells her softly as she helps untie the material wrapped around her. Once it’s free, the little girl looks at Nevaeh over Citi’s shoulder.

“Hey, Star. I’m your auntie.”

Star looks from Nevaeh to her mom, who nods with a soft, tired smile. When Star reaches for Nevaeh, a tear runs down her face as she gently takes her from her mom. Star lays her head on Nevaeh’s shoulder and slips her thumb into her mouth.

“I need to do something before we go,” Citi says, looking at her daughter and sister.

“I’ve got her. Do whatever you need to do.”

She nods before walking away. I nod to Ambros, who follows behind her.

I press a kiss to Nevaeh’s temple. “You okay?”

“No, but I will be.” Nevaeh adjusts Star, who’s eyes flutter. “She’s heavier than she looks.”

“I can take her.” I dip down so the kid can see me.

“Star, this is Uncle Havoc. Do you think he could carry you?” Nevaeh asks her gently.

She thinks about it for a moment before she reaches for me. I tuck her against my chest, her head under my chin. Her curls tickle my jaw, but I don’t care. When she settles, I relax along with her.

Nevaeh turns to walk around the back of the house. “I’m going to check on my sister.”

Not ready to have her out of my sight yet, I follow her. When we round the corner, Ambros stops Neveah from going any farther. I’m ready to snap at him for touching her when I catch a look at the ravaged expression on his face. I glance from him to Citi, who is sitting in the middle of the grass, a dozen or so feet away, surrounded by wildflowers.

“What’s she doing?” Nevaeh asks as Hannibal and Ferris join us. Ferris nods to let me know the house is ready to burn.

Ambros casts a look my way, warning me that what he’s about to say will hurt Nevaeh. I move closer until she can feel the heat of me behind her.

“Ambros?” she whispers, bracing herself. “What’s my sister doing?”

“She’s saying goodbye to the rest of her children.”

Chapter Thirty-Six

Nevaeh

Amity comes barreling into the room, slamming the door into the wall, a wild look of panic on her face until her eyes land on mine.

She takes in a deep, shuddering breath before she crumples to the floor and sobs.

G is behind her in seconds, scooping her up and carrying her to the bed where I’m sitting.

“I’m okay, Amity, I promise.” Physically at least. Emotionally, I feel like I’ve been put through the wringer.

“Yeah, well I’m not,” she snaps through her tears. “You could have been killed and I couldn’t get to you. Midas had me locked down, but I swear Pippin, I’d have come––”

I cover her mouth with my hand, muffling the rest of her words.

“I know you would have Amity, but I didn’t want you near that asshole any more than the guys did, and you know Midas was just following orders.

She turns her head to glare at Havoc, who is sitting in the chair beside my bed, but he just crosses his arms and scowls at her.

“I wasn’t risking you too.”

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