\[Elise’s POV\]
I lean against a tree, watching as Serenity cooes happily between my legs. Beside me, William leans his head on my shoulder, watching the scene with me.
“Must be nice.” I murmur, reaching out and letting her grab my finger. “To be so ignorantly oblivious to the danger that is surrounding not only us but her parents and pack.”
“Let her be.” William responds, snuggling closer to me.
Frowning, I give him a pointed look, but he simply remains in place, clearly enjoying using me as his personal pillow a bit too much.
“Excuse me,” I finally huff, nudging his head. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“Isn’t it obvious?” He asks me, giving me a look of amusement. “I’m comforting you.”
“Don’t you think it is the other way around?” I counter.
“I don’t know,” William chuckles. “Is focusing on something that annoys you helping you relax a bit?”
For a moment, I don’t speak as I consider what he was saying, and when I realize that he was right, I feel a wave of annoyance rush through me.
No. I wouldn’t admit that his presence alone was helping me calm down a bit. Nope. Not in a hundred years.
“You’re just making my mood worse.” I argue, not wanting to admit that he was right. “Could you maybe learn what personal space is?”
“When it comes to you?” He says, seeming to consider. “There isn’t any personal space.”
“What nonsense is that?” I snap.
“How can you still say that after everything we’ve done?” He pouts.
Opening my mouth, I prepare to argue, but stop as a sleek black car pulls up and Hamilton, along with Naomi, jump out. Both their faces are filled with looks of concern, and as they rush toward Emerald Moon’s entrance, that bastard father of Williams climbs out of the car.
“Today just keeps getting better.” I mutter, pulling Serenity into my arms and slowly getting up. “I think you should go greet your old man.” I continue, looking from William to his father. “I’m going to head inside and see if I can get this little one to take a nap.”
I don’t wait for a response before I’m moving, but before I can get too far, William falls into step beside me and wraps an arm around my waist once more.
“What are you doing?” I hiss as we grow closer to his father. “Are you looking to cause even more trouble?”
“No,” William counters as his father’s gaze comes to rest on us. “I’m making a statement.”
Statement. What kind of ridiculous statement could he be making? The most he was doing was making matters worse.
“William,” his father says when we reach. “What is this? Why are you out here flirting around when there’s trouble taking place inside?”
“Why?” William responds, pretending to consider. “Because things are being handled accordingly in there.”
“Handled accordingly.” His father repeats, his expression darkening. “And yet you insist on staying here to help out until the month ends.”
“That’s right.” William grins.
A low growl escapes his father, making it clear that he wasn’t in the mood for his son’s shit.
“You’ve been hanging around withRosco for too long.” He huffs.
“Possibly,” William chuckles. “Anyway, you didn’t possibly come here today to argue with me, correct?”
Growing quiet, he waits as his father considers what is being said. When he finally gives a court nod and turns his gaze back toward Emerald Moon, I know that this irritating father-son moment is over, and I’m saved from the discomfort of bearing witness to it.
“I came because my brother asked me to.” William’s father responds. “Now, would you please lead the way, or have you forgotten common courtesy?”
“Not at all.” William responds, beginning to lead the way into Emerald Moon. “This way.”
When we enter the building, the scent of blood hits me again, but it isn’t as strong as it was only an hour before. I could only hope that meant things were finally being controlled. However, I knew that thinking things would be okay was being naive. There was still a ways to go before anyone was in the clear.
Sighing, I wait as William and his father stare each other down, and when it becomes too much, I break free of his hold.
“I’m going to head back to my room.” I announce, not waiting for a response. “Please enjoy your time together.”
Ignoring William’s gaze that burns into me, I take the stairs two at a time, and when I reach the top, I beeline for my room. Only once I’m there do I finally deflate.
"Fuck, that was awkward.” I mutter to myself as a coo escapes Serenity, reminding me that I’m on babysitting duty. “Right, you’re here too.” I continue, taking her in. “Do you want to switch places?”
She could be dealing with the weight of the world while I pissed and shit myself, then waited to be offered a boob so I could drink myself into a coma.
“Lucky little thing.” I grumble, heading toward my bed, where I collapse. “I do hope that you get to grow up with this much innocence.”
Sighing, I lay Serenity beside myself as I continue to take her in. And when her serpent mark catches my eye, I feel my heart squeeze. It was all because of this mark that all of this was happening.
“Soon,” I promise her, letting her tiny hand wrap around a finger. “I’ll find those bastards threatening you and destroy them one by one.”
Even if I was a no-good scum of the earth, I wouldn’t let anyone threaten a child’s life or innocence. They would have to go through me, and if I died trying to protect her, then we would all go to hell together.
I don’t know how long I lay there, watching Serenity as she slowly falls asleep before a knock sounds from my door.
Giving her one last look, I get up, make my way across the room, and yank the door open to find Charlie and Marty staring back at me.
“To what do I owe the pleasure?” I ask, looking from one man to another. “Did the two of you come here for a threesome? Sorry, I’m not really in the mood right now.”
“We came to see if you’ve finished packing.” Charlie counters, his voice serious.
“Packing?” I repeat in confusion. “Sorry, I’m not following.”
“What isn’t to understand?” He huffs. “Did you forget about the mission?”
Actually, amidst all the chaos that was erupting around this place, I did, in fact, forget that we would be heading to the sawmill, where my bastard father and his men were waiting.
“Right.” I sigh, brushing a stray strand of hair out of my face. “So that’s still happening despite what is happening here?”
“Because of what is happening here, it is imperative that we stop those bastards once and for all.” Charlie confirms.
“Man, you’re too damn serious.” Marty sighs. “Can’t you see you’re scaring the lady?”
“Scaring me?” I growl, shooting him a glare. “Who the hell is scared?”
“You,” he responds with a laugh.
“How about I show you what fear is?” I snarl, taking offense.
“That’s enough.” Charlie huffs. “We don’t have the time for the two of you to bicker like children. Get your shit packed and be ready. We are leaving come morning; there isn’t any time to waste.”