My respect for this stranger jumps up a few levels, but all I do is nod. Honestly, it’s not my business to have an opinion on it. “So, what did you do?”
“We found a family that was ready.”
“What do you mean? Adoption?”
“Mmhmm. A husband and wife who had been trying for a few years, having miscarriage after miscarriage. All they wanted in this world was a kid and we could give that to them with no strings attached. They paid for all the medical bills and took the responsibility off our hands. Gi had the baby seven months later, and that was it. That little boy would be twelve years old now.”
“No shit?” I question, raising my brow as the idea settles into my mind, making me feel as though I’m not completely helpless.
“Yep,” he says, nodding. “Take my advice or don’t. It really makes no difference to me. All I’m saying is that you have options so before you start thinking that your life is over, look into them. This might feel like hell for you, but this hell could be someone else’s miracle.”
“Thanks,” I say, glancing up at him. “That’s actually … kinda helpful. What’s your name?”
He nods and holds his hand out. “I’m Jaren.”
I take his hand and give it a quick shake, not wanting to touch him any longer than necessary. “I’m Ocean.”
“I know. You’re the Widow chick. We’ve all heard about you around here.”
I narrow my eyes at him, but murmurs and movement behind me have me spinning around to find out what the hell is going on. Everybody walks to the windows, glancing out and watching whatever the fuck is going on outside. “What’s happening?” I ask, glancing back at Jaren.
He shrugs his shoulder. “Beats me.”
“What’s happening,” Russo’s deep, booming voice comes tearing through the den. “Is that it looks like you have a visitor.”
“What?” I demand, throwing myself out of my chair. “Who? No one knows I’m here.”
“Well, you’ve been found.”
Panic surges through me. Only a handful of people would be stupid enough to come here to get me, and they’re all Widows. It’s going to end in bloodshed, and I can’t have that. I have to get rid of them.
I start surging toward the door, more than ready to tell them all to fuck off, praying to whoever exists above that this goes smoothly. “Stop right there,” Russo demands. “Where the hell do you think you’re going?”
I look back at him, still making my way to the door. “I’m going to get rid of them.”
“I don’t think so,” he says, nodding to his men who instantly fall in front of the door, blocking my way. “If your boyfriend would like a minute of your time, then he will come inside.”
My eyes bug out of my head. “Boyfriend?” I question, and the panic only intensifies. No, he can’t be here. He’ll get hurt.
I run to the door and try to barge my way through Russo’s men, but it’s impossible. “Move,” I demand. “Get the fuck out of my way before I make you.”
They laugh at my pathetic attempts, and I start looking around in a panic. What am I going to do? I don’t even have my phone to call him. Russo took that from me the second I walked in here.
I hurry over to one of the many windows and barge my way to the front only to find Colton standing out front, leaning against his Veneno and staring at the Wolf Den. His arms are crossed over his chest, and he looks like the baddest kind of motherfucker around. He’s lethal and terrifying and it has a thrill rushing through me, but what’s more, he looks as though he’s ready to wait all damn night.
Fuck. The idea of Colton coming in here? No. I can't allow that to happen. These guys won't hesitate to hurt him and attempt to drain him of every last cent he has, and only then will they finally kill him. I couldn't live if they took him away from me like that. I would never forgive myself. There are too many of them, and I can guarantee that he'd go down fighting. He'd never survive against numbers like this.
“Please,” I beg, turning back to Russo. “Just let me get rid of him. I swear, I won't run. Just ... I'll make him leave.”
Russo meets my eyes, and with a firm shake of his head, he walks away.
Fuck.
I look back out the window, watching as Colton pushes off his Veneno. He opens his arms out wide, daring the Wolves to make a move. “Jade,” he calls, his voice loud and strong enough that it carries through to the den. It's only been a matter of hours since I saw him last. How is it possible for that one word to fill me with so much hope? “I know you're in there, baby. Come out here, and we won't have a problem.”