Page 53 of Surviving in Everton

“Thanks, Hud.” I smile, reaching for his hand and giving it a heartfelt squeeze. I love how much my guys cherish my daughter.

We decide to watch a movie and try to relax while we wait for Ayden to get back. The guys put on some action movie. I don’t honestly know what, I’m not really paying attention. I’m curled up in Nate’s lap and I’m too comfortable to even care about anything around me.

Chapter 23

Nate

This is a bad idea. I really don’t want to do this. We shouldn’t be testing on kids. What if Ayden fucks up the spell and it turns them blue instead of telling the truth? Or worse, what if the spell never wears off? Those poor kids will be stuck telling the truth for the rest of their lives! No one wants that.

Everyone else is enjoying the movie, but I’m just sitting here thinking about all the ways this could go wrong. Rowen’s about to fall back to sleep. She’s curled up on my lap, resting her head on my chest, and she looks so peaceful. Just staring at her serene expression grounds me. I watch as her eyes flutter and she finally stops fighting to keep them open. I conjure her a blanket and cover her up while she rests.

It’s not long after that Ayden returns with the potion.

“Rowe, Kitten, time to wake up.” I run my hand down her face as I gently try to coax her awake.

“Hmmm. Wh…what?” She sleepily groans as she turns into me.

“Come on, Kitten. Ayden’s back.”

That gets her attention, because she snaps her head up and looks around for the man in question.

“Ayd?”

“Right here, Doll. I’m ready whenever you are,” he says.

“Okay. Can someone get the kids?” she asks.

“I’ll get them,” Kayden offers, then heads out back.

“Are we really doing this? You’re going to test a potion,Aydenmade, on kids? Do you really think that’s a good idea, Kitten?”

Rowe turns to look at me head on. “Nate. Ayden would never do anything to hurt those kids and you know it. I understand you’re worried, so am I. That’s what it’s like being a parent. You worry about them. All the time.”

A parent? Oh god. Is that what I am now?

Declan chuckles across the room. “Yeah, Nate. Pretty sure that’s what you are now. Although, you’ve basically been one for the past seven years.”

“Shut up. And stay out of my head,” I growl. He knows I hate it when he does that shit.

Violet walks into the room, followed by Kayden and Logan. Making her way over to us, she looks at her mom with wide innocent eyes. Damn it. How can anyone look at her angelic face and agree to spell her?

She must sense my unease, because she gives me her sweetest smile.

“Yes, Mommy? What did the doctor say?”

Rowen closes her eyes and takes a deep breath before answering her. “He said I need to get the dissipation potion as soon as possible. But to do that, we need to know what spell was used on me. The guys were able to figure out who did it. Now we just need to get her to tell us what spell she used. But she’s not a very nice person, Bug. She’s not going to just tell us.”

“Then you have to make her!” Violet cries.

I squeeze Rowen around the waist to comfort her. She’s been tense ever since Violet walked in. I’m sure telling her all of this can’t be easy.

“That’s the plan. Ayden made a truth potion. We’re going to trick her into drinking it tomorrow. But you need to understand, what we’re doing isn’t right either. You shouldneverspell someone against their will. Do you understand?”

“I know, Mommy, but she won’t tell you and youneedto know!”

“Yes, we do. But we’re only doing this because there’s no other option and we’re running out of time.” She sighs as she prepares to tell her about the potion. “Ayden’s made this potion before. He thought it would be funny to spell the guys when we were kids. But it’s been a long time and we need to make sure the potion works before we give it to her tomorrow.”

“Okay. What does the potion do?”

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