Page 5 of Protectors

“Been thinkin’ about callin’ Alana to see how she’s doin’. Need to see where she’s at right now and let her know we’re ready for her,” he answers, pulling his phone out and setting it on the table in front of him.

“We’re really not ready for her though. There hasn’t been a room cleaned out for her, the house isn’t ready, and nothin’ else has been done to set up any appointments or anythin’ else for her yet,” I state, a small trace of anger lacing my voice with everything we have to do for our girl when she gets here.

“Okay. Let’s give her a call and see what she’s doin’. Once we’re done with that, we’ll figure out what to do first,” Ghost says, keeping a level head as I start to freak out with everything we’ll have to take care of.

I’m not going to slack in making sure Alana has everything she needs. We’ll make sure she has medicine, blankets, everything else that will make her decision to move here with us the right one for her. I don’t care if I have to spend all the money I’ve saved my entire life to ensure she’s comfortable and happy in Pine View with us. To me, it would be worth it.

“Hello,” Alana answers the phone, bringing me out of my head as her soft, melodic voice washes over us.

“Hey, Sweet Angel,” I respond, a smile on my face as Ghost looks up at me.

“Colton? Is Kaden with you?” she asks, making us both smile with the hint of excitement filling her voice.

“We’re both here,” Ghost answers as I move closer to him so not everyone in the common room overhears our conversation. “How are you doin’, Tink?”

“I’ve been better. I know you both know what’s going on with me. I’m currently with Reagan and Jameson. Remind me why I thought it was a good idea to visit my overbearing brother,” she says, making Ghost and I laugh because we all know how Jameson is with his sisters.

“It’s what you needed, Tink. How much longer are you gonna be up with them?” Ghost asks her, turning serious.

“I’m gonna finish out the week here with them and then head to Cedar Bay. Are you both still meeting me there?” Alana questions us, a slight bit of fear filling her voice.

“Yeah. Vault is ready to let us know when you’re there so we can head out. I’ve been workin’ with Valor to get as many jobs as possible out of the way so the security company isn’t a man down with a ton of installations to get done,” I inform her as I look around at everyone in the common room right now.

“Are you sure you can both take the time off to meet me there? I don’t plan on staying there long. It would just be nice to see Haley for a few days and see the kids. She needs to know I’m okay. I mean, I don’t look okay still, but I’ll get there,” she tells us as we look at one another with rage filling our eyes.

“Tink, we’re meetin’ you there. Don’t worry about what we have goin’ on here. You come first always. Now, what do you need us to do to get things ready for you here?” Ghost returns, his voice more serious than ever because he wants to ensure Alana’s comfort as much as I do.

“I’ve got my car loaded down with all of my stuff. Well, the stuff I wanted to bring with me right now. My dads and mom will bring the rest once I’m settled in. I know it’s just because they want to check on me, but I’m not gonna bitch about it at all. Other than that I’ll have to set up appointments with new doctors and a counselor once I get there. Will I be staying in the clubhouse with everyone?”

“If that’s what you need to do for now. We have a house, but it’s got nothin’ in it. We were waitin’ on you to get here before we did anythin’ with it. This will be our home and there’s no point in you bein’ there with shit you don’t like,” I tell her as we wait to hear what her response is to that.

“You’re that sure of us?” Alana queries, her voice shaking with emotion and I wish I could pull her into my arms and hold her close to make all of her fears and pain disappear.

“Tink, there’s never been a second of doubt in our minds. You’ve always been ours,” Ghost states with determination filling his voice.

“Sweet Angel, we gave you time to go to college and find your place in the world. We don’t want you to have any regrets about bein’ with us in the future. This is us stakin’ our claim on you and lettin’ you know that we’re all in, Alana. Is that what you want with us?” I ask, my heart stalling in my chest as we wait for her response.

“That’s what I want. I knew it growing up and it was reinforced even more when I saw you at King’s wedding. How are the newlyweds doing?”

“They’re great. About to have their little one any day now. Brynn is miserable and keeps bitchin’ at King for bein’ a giant and fillin’ her with giant babies,” Ghost tells her, a large smile on his face as the couple enter the common room with Brynn bitching about something.

“She was radiant when I did the maternity shoot for them. I can’t wait to watch King become a dad,” Alana says, excitement once again filling her voice. “I have to get off of here for now. Jameson and Reagan want the three of us to go out for dinner tonight. We’re leaving everyone else at the clubhouse so we can spend some time together.”

“Okay, Tink. Let us know when you leave there. If you need us to meet you before you get to Cedar Bay, call and we’ll get to you as soon as we can. I miss you and can’t wait to see you again,” Ghost says, staring at the phone.

“Yeah. Miss you, Sweet Angel, and I can’t wait to see you again. Anythin’ you need, let us know and we’ll make sure you have it,” I promise her.

“Miss you guys too. I’ll see you soon,” Alana says before hanging up and I lean back in my chair once again.

“King!” Brynn’s voice suddenly fills the common room as we all turn to see her standing just outside the door of the kitchen, staring down at the floor.

“Kitten, what’s wrong?” King asks, rushing to her side and almost falling on his ass when he slips in something on the floor in front of her.

“My water just broke. It’s too early, Kingston,” she tells him, fear filling her face as we all jump out of our seats and rush to surround the couple.

“Okay, Kitten. Let’s get you to the hospital. If someone could grab her bags from the house and bring them to the hospital. Vault, can you call Scathe and let him know what’s goin’ on? I’m gonna get my wife to the hospital,” King orders as he lifts Brynn up in his arms and rushes from the room with Jinx and Hope on his heels.

“Ghost and Geek, follow them to the hospital and make sure King isn’t the one drivin’. His head won’t be on the road and I won’t risk them because he’s behind the wheel. Jinx can drive. Devil, head to their house and get the bags. You know where they are. Everyone else get to the fuckin’ hospital so we can be there to support King and Brynn. I’ll call Scathe and Blood on my way there,” Vault orders everyone as Ghost and I rush from the room while Annabell starts ordering the women who will remain behind with the kids.

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