Neither of us responds since she’s already opening the front door.
I laugh at the frustrated expression on Manic’s face.“Welcome to loving a Fitzgerald twin, brother.They’re hell on wheels.”
A pensive look crosses his face.“She’s so fucking different from Emma.”
“Look, brother.Emma was a wonderful woman, but she didn’t fit you.She loved you, but she was too calm.You need that fire that scorches your skin, and there’s only one woman who can give you that.”
“Ky and I got a lot of baggage between us.She’s carrying my damage deep inside her.”
I sigh, running my fingers through my tangled hair.“Neither of us has an easy ride, that’s for damn sure.”
That thread inside my chest that connects me to Birdie urges me to go to her.It’s the connection of our souls that locked back into place when she dropped into my life days ago.
Birdie is sitting on the couch with Valkyrie.The pillow in her arms is slowly losing life as she strangles it in her arms.It’s a simple protection from the world that screams how uncomfortable she is.She’s been that way since I made her burn those fucking clothes she brought with her.
Valkyrie is talking to her, but she’s not paying attention.If she was, she’d see that vacant look in those beautiful, broken green eyes of her sisters.
But I do.
I fucking see it.
Crouching in front of her, I yank the pillow out of the way so I can reach her easier.I wrap my fingers around her jaw and hold her loose enough that she can get free easily, but tight enough that she’s able to anchor.
“What the hell are you doing?Get your fucking hands off her,” Valkyrie shouts.
I would have been good with her, but when Birdie flinches from her tone, I lose my shit.I swing my head toward her, baring my teeth.Venom pours from my tongue.“Make her flinch like that again and I’ll douse you in flames and watch you burn.You know goddamn well I’d never physically hurt her.If you’d have been paying attention, you’d have seen she wasn’t even fucking present while you were running your mouth.She needed an anchor, and that’s what the fuck I’m doing.If you can’t chill out, you can get the fuck out and not come back.”Birdie trembles under my touch, so I turn back to her.“Shhh.I got you, little mama.You’re okay.I’m here.Kyrie’s here.You’re safe.We’re not him.”
“He’s not here,” she whispers.
A soft whimper escapes Valkyrie’s lips as the realization dawns that she missed her sister’s distress.Manic can fucking do that comfort shit with her.
“No, baby.He’s not here.”
It takes her a few minutes, but she eventually blinks a few times and comes back to us.
“I’m sorry.I’ll do better.”
With a groan, I pull her face toward mine until I can rest our foreheads together.“Don’t you dare fucking apologize for that shit, little mama.You’re here.You’re safe.You’re fucking breathing.We’ll get you through the rest of it.”
Birdie clears her throat and pulls away, reaching up to pat her damn head to make sure all of her hair is still in that ridiculous, tight bun.“Geez.We have company and here I am being silly.I apologize, Valkyrie.I didn’t mean to cause you any undue distress.”
Valkyrie and I glance at each other at the prim and proper tone of Birdie’s words.We finally understand each other.The damage is deep, and it’s going to take Birdie’s family to help her find the light again.
All of us.
Including the club.
“Better buckle up, buttercup.It’s about to get saucy around here,” I mumble to Valkyrie.
I kind of want to climb to my feet and clap my hands in excitement, but she already thinks I have a wonky eye.
Act chill, nod as if we’re on the same page, and smile.
“Wonky eye,” Valkyrie mouths again.
Motherfucking bullshit, man.
Chapter Sixteen
