Page 23 of Smoke

“You’re just a tiny baby, aren’t you?”

She nodded, her eyes uncertain.

“Do you want to know a secret?”

More overexaggerated head nods.

“Tiny babies are my favorite.”

She studied me for a minute before giving me an ear-to-ear smile.

“You’re perfect for me, babygirl.”

Carrying her back downstairs, I settled onto the couch with her on my lap. Her thumb slid back in her mouth and I suddenly wished I’d grabbed her bunny from the closet.

Eloise climbed up beside us, and popped a pink flamingo pacifier in her mouth. Ashley reached over and took her hand and I swear my heart was so full I feared it might burst.

Picking up my beer, I took a big sip, reflecting on how perfect the night was, but my reflection was quickly ruined when my burner phone chirped. Blade’s and Bash’s immediately followed and we all shared a look before checking them.

Dammit, Jasper needed us.

Kay shot me a look over Ashley’s head and I nodded. We had a job.

Eloise and Allyson shared a look of worry and I hated they were all exposed to this side of us.

“Wrong?” Ashley asked, peering up at me with her big inquisitive eyes.

“Uncle Bash, Uncle Blade, and I have to leave to go do some work, but we’ll be back as soon as we can, okay?”

“Nu,” she said, her eyes already filling with tears.

Shit.

“I know, babygirl. I’m so sorry, but I promise I’ll be back soon.”

“Nu,” she said, shaking her head and fisting the hand of her uninjured arm in my shirt.

“It’s okay, Ashley. Ally and I will stay with you. We can play in your new playroom,” Eloise said. Bless her little heart for trying to help.

“Don’t go,” Ashley begged. Her pleas were like knife wounds to my soul.

“I know, babygirl. You’ve had an eventful thirty-six hours and now Uncle Smoke has to leave when you were just getting comfortable. It’s not fair, is it?” I said, standing with her in my arms. I knew I was going to leave her crying and I felt like complete shit about it.

Kay opened her arms and I knelt in front of her.

“No!” Ashley cried.

“I know, baby, I’m sorry,” I said, setting her into Kay’s lap.

She clung to my shirt and I gently worked her fingers free.

Allyson and Eloise sat on either side of Kay. “It’s okay, Ashley. I know it’s scary, but I promise they always come back,” Allyson tried.

Stepping away from her took every ounce of will I had. I told Blade and Bash to give me a minute and I rushed upstairs, grabbing her bunny and then my gun from the safe. Tucking the gun in my pants, I went back to Ashley and handed her the beloved stuffie. She took it, buried her face, and sobbed into it.

“Uncle Smoke, can she have your shirt? Sometimes when I get nervous when Daddy leaves, he lets me hold his shirt and it makes me feel better cause it smells like him,” Eloise said.

“That is a great idea, Eloise. Thank you.”

---