Page 31 of Irons

I heard footsteps and knew it was Magnus coming in before Addie even went running and screaming his name. For a kid that had been through hell like she did, she was happy and well rounded. She adored all of us and she had all of us wrapped around her little pinky. I don’t think there could be anything in this world we wouldn’t do for that adorable little girl. We were close with Granger’s kids as well, but there was something about little Addie that made her stand out.

An hour later, the house was filled with laughter and Addie took center stage just as expected. Around the dining room table was Axton, Darren, Bolton, Magnus, Patrick, Drakos, Melissa, Morgan, Addie, and me. That’s how it was every Thursday night, except Creed and his brothers were not in attendance.

“They both arrive tomorrow but their furniture hasn’t yet arrived.” Axton said.

I was nervous about seeing Wrenly. There was no way to prepare myself. Was she angry at me for staying away for so long? Was I just a distant memory to her? She had so many life experiences since I saw her last that maybe seeing me wasn’t that big of a deal to her.

“Morgan has competition now.” Drakos rubbed his hands together. “It’s going to be great. I never saw such long legs and the rack on that girl…” He kissed his finger tips like an Italian. “Perfecto.”

Magnus elbowed Drakos.

“What’s a rack?” Addie asked.

Morgan was too busy glaring at Drakos to answer.

“It just means she’s really smart.” Axton lied to her.

“Only dummies eat crayons, Uncle Mike. She’s a dumb Maween.” Addie rolled her eyes, making her look like a miniature teenager.

“She’s really super pretty, like your mom but better.” Drakos said and I heard Morgan gasp. “Ouch, shit!” Drakos cried out when Addie punched his arm.

“No girls are better than my mommy. You shut up before I punch you in the dick!” Addie threatened and Morgan once again gasped.

“Addie! What have I told you about hitting people?” Bolton asked.

Addie smiled real big. “Don’t hit anyone, except for uncle Scott, then that’s otay.”

Bolton nodded. “Good girl.” She smiled as she took a sip of her wine.

“Hey! That’s not nice!” Drakos whimpered.

“Its fine.” Everyone said it at the same time.

“It pwobabwy doesn’t hurt Uncle Scott anyway. Weston say he has a bagina.” Addie took a bite of meatball, but everyone burst out in laughter.

“Addie! Don’t say stuff like that, it’s a very bad thing to say!” Morgan tried to correct her.

“But it’s true.” Axton laughed then took a swig of his beer.

“You’re all nothing but bullies! You’re teaching her bad things.” Drakos pouted like a baby.

“Shut up Drakos, or I’ll head butt you.” Melissa threatened and I choked on my beer.

“While you’re down there…” Drakos wiggled his brows, and I couldn’t breathe from laughing so hard. “Ouch, shit!” Drakos rubbed his arm again. “I’m not sitting by Addie ever again.”

“Be nice to Mewissa.” Addie crossed her arms and stuck her tongue out at Drakos.

I swear that kid was one of a kind and we all fell even deeper in love with her every single time she hit Drakos.

“Anyway, back to the subject at hand. Carlson will stay in an apartment until her furniture arrives on Sunday orMonday, and Stone will do the same. I talked to Creed, and we agreed we will all take turns with them since orientation doesn’t start until Monday. We will let them shadow us, so they have a better understanding of how things work around here. The twelve new prospects have been assigned to the duplexes and they’ve already got their furniture. I’ve teamed each of them up with an operative to shadow through orientation. The other four executive operatives will also arrive Sunday and we’ll probably do the same thing for them, although Creed wants extra attention on Carlson. I believe Creed sees her as his golden ticket.” Axton picked up his beer, but Morgan wasn’t too happy.

Morgan scoffed. “What makes this girl so special to my husband exactly?” She was sitting back with her arm draped over her huge belly.

“Seriously, Morgan. It’s about work and nothing more, so don’t go getting jealous. All Creed cares about is her skills as an operative and how well she would do with the women and young girls we bring home. You know female operatives are few and far between. You have to understand how decorated this woman was in the Marines. She has a lot to contribute to Creed’s Lake.” Axton explained.

Morgan rolled her eyes, which was exactly the reason Addie had been doing that so much lately. “I’ve met her, Axton. She’s nice and all, but she doesn’t look like an operative. More like one of my costars, she’s gorgeous and she doesn’t have a big swollen stomach like me. When I think female operative I think Tom Boy, not a classic and graceful beauty. I think it’s perfectly understandable why I would be uncomfortable hearing this about my husband when I’m as big as a whale.” Her eyes began welling up.

“You don’t think the fact that you’re carrying his kids is sexier than some blond? Nothing is sexier to a man than hispregnant wife.” Magnus said and Drakos snorted so I kicked him really hard before he laughed.

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