Page 79 of Soul

“I am surprised you remember me. We only met once, it’s good to see you again.”

“You’re the teacher with abilities?” Warden inquired.

“Yeah. Are these the children I’ll be teaching?” Jenson smiled at Maci and Ham.

“This is Ham and Maci.” I moved closer to them, as Soul did.

“And they’re talented?” Jenson confirmed. I liked the way she phrased that.

“Yes,” I agreed.

Anubis moved closer with Grace, who appeared to have woken up. She let out a fart, blinked, and then wailed.

“There’s a funny smell coming from her,” Anubis announced and dumped her in my hands. Grace shrieked, and a wave of water-soaked Jenson, Maci, and Ham.

“Damn, she’s a shit-making machine,” Soul said, shaking his head.

“And that’s why you are dressed like that. Don’t you have a shield?” Jenson asked.

“A what?” Warden looked puzzled.

“Someone who throws up barriers. I’m sure Storm said there was one,” Jenson replied.

“I can create them,” Noble admitted, stepping up.

“Yes, you are a shield. Throw one around this little lady. A few times of soaking herself, and she’ll learn control.”

“Noble, throw one up,” Soul ordered, and I laughed.

He looked at me.

“Go ahead, Noble, before Grace floods everything.”

I changed Grace and sat down with her as everyone began doing as Warden had previously ordered. Jenson sat with the children, getting to know them, and I saw Soul watching her carefully. He didn’t seem to pick up on a lie.

“She’s good,” Romeo whispered to me, and I nodded. He smiled and touched Grace’s cheek. “And this one is going to be a handful.”

“Somehow, I’m not surprised,” I replied, and Romeo chuckled.

“Bryony, can I show you something?” Warden asked, approaching.

“Why?”

“It’s a surprise.”

“I don’t like or trust your surprises,” I stated, and Warden grinned.

“Well, as you’re family now, you’re going to have to,” he responded.

“That’s a matter of opinion,” I said, accepting his hand and letting him pull me to my feet.

He motioned for me to follow him outside, and warily, I did. He led me to a patch of land not far from the clubhouse.

“This is where the children’s playground will go. I’ve got someone coming next week to put in a jungle gym, slides, swings, and all the outdoor shit kids need. And over there, we’re putting in a kid’s pool. It’ll go next to the adult’s, like a resort pool. I make mistakes, Bryony, I’m just a man.

“Sometimes, I even forget my role in my selfishness. But the club is in my blood. My brothers and sisters are my everything. As are my woman and baby. I want us to grow, I want them to find their anchors and people to love them. Because every single one of them deserves love. I can be an asshole and sometimes not see the finer details. But I am loyal. And I don’t deserve what I have. I know that.

“But I would be honoured to call you family and have your children call me uncle. Because those kids might not have had anyone before. But they have an entire fuckin’ army now,” Warden said.

---