Page 32 of Victorious: Part I

Before she was taken.

Before our lives were turned upside down.

Maybe I blocked out this part of our lives—a time when the three of us would sit in Poppy’s bedroom together and hum this lullaby to get her to drift off to sleep. Taking a few steps back just to distance myself—this feels like some kind of sick dream—when, in a trembling voice, Poppy begins to sing the lullaby, a simple melody I haven’t heard in years.

Livvy’s eyes close, a peaceful expression settling on her face as she listens to our daughter’s voice.

My insides tremble as I stand back. Haven moves to stand beside me, her warmth and nurturing taking over as she wraps herself around me. I slide my arm around her shoulders, holding onto her just as tight.Thank God I have Haven.I’m so fucking lucky that she is the most understanding woman on earth and that she is here, helping Poppy and me through this.

I can’t help but focus on my daughter. The way Poppy cuddles into her mother as she sings to her. The unwavering love and loyalty she shows Livvy is heartwarming and equally heartbreaking.

Leaning in against Haven’s ear, I whisper, “Poppy’s going to break when Livvy’s gone.”

Haven tightens her hand in mine, giving me an added layer of courage. “We’ll hold her together,” she promises. “The both of us.”

I grip her fingers so tightly I’m sure it hurts, but Haven doesn’t even flinch. In fact, she equals my pressure. That’s the thing about finding the person you’re meant to be with. They match you at everything you do. Because even though they’re your other half, they’re also the exact same as you.

That is why Haven and I work.

We’re the same.

She glances up at me, a weak smile crossing her lips, as she leans in closer. “How about we give Poppy and her mama a moment? We haven’t told the guys out there what’s going on. They’ve been here for hours with no word. And youreallyneed a walk and something to eat. Poppy needs something to eat too.”

Glancing over my shoulder, I peer at Livvy and Poppy sitting together, having a really nice moment.

I want to give Poppy this.

She deserves this.

Exhaling, I clear my throat, gaining their attention. Poppy glances up at me with a bright smile on her face. “Princess, you gonna be okay if Haven and I duck out for a moment? We wanna go check on the guys and grab you something to eat?”

Poppy looks back at Livvy, who continues to play with our girl. “Is it okay, mama?”

Livvy cuddles into Poppy further, though the pain is clear to see. “Absolutely. I want to… spend as much… time with my… girl as I can.”

My eyes meet Livvy’s just to double-check, and she softly nods. Weakly smiling, I reach for Haven’s hand, hesitate, and then we walk out of the hospital room. The second I leave her room and enter the corridor, I let out a huge breath and stop, bending over, my hands on my knees, and steal a moment. Haven is beside me, her hand on my back. “I got you. You feel whatever you need to feel, baby. I’m right here.”

Scrunching my face as I draw in a deep breath, I stand back up and look Haven in the eyes. “What the fuck happened?” I ask, now that we have a moment alone.

Her shoulders slump, her eyes closing as she leans back against the wall. “I got a call. They told me to come and to come alone. They had a tracker on my cell. I was blasé about it until I heard Livvy calling out in the background. I heard the pain in her voice. I could already tell they’d been hurting her, so I just went. I should have called for backup then and there. But the asshole had a tracker on me and told me not to call you. So, I didn’t. I wrongly thought I could handle it by myself. I’m so, so sorry, Alpha.” Her eyes meet mine, and for the first time since I met her, I see defeat shine back at me.

Something I never,everthought I would see from Haven.

It hits me like a sledgehammer—straight in the chest.

This fucking Cartel has taken so much from me.

It took my daughter, made me think she was dead, but then they trained her as an assassin.

They caused my marriage to fall apart.

They turned members of my own club against me.

Livvy is going to die at their hands.

And now—seeing the fight and fury dimming from Haven’s eyes, is the last…

Fucking.

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