↳ 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐑 ━ 𝐒𝐄𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐋

𝐗𝐈 ー 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐄

▣

Poking her head around the wall, Sierra peers into the serene bedroom. Few objects to decorate the space, mostly necessities and simple things. Oddly neat. A soft orange glow emitted from the single lamp beside the bed.

To earn the man's attention she knocks twice on the open door. Lingering in the doorway while he looks up from his book. "I have another checkup tomorrow morning, we want you to join us."

"I'd rather not."

"Kaden's worried he might not be enough. He wants extra protection." She rubs her belly. "He tries to act like he's fine but I can tell he's anything but."

"And he sent you to ask?"

"Yep because he's the big guns in case you refuse. But you won't. I know as much as you want to hate me, a small part of you can't, and that part also adores your niece."

Grayson sighs heavily. "Whatever."

"I'm glad you agreed so easily. I was planning on hugging you until you caved."

"You disgust me."

"I know." She smiles and walks away.

□ ■ □

With a desperate yelp Sierra sits upright, grip on the bedsheets soon relaxing when the familiar layout of the bedroom greets her round eyes. Face buried in her hands, tears of exhaustion trickle down her flushed cheeks.

Footsteps approach. She sniffs and wipes her face, forcing a smile for Kaden when he strolls in and places his phone by his bedside. He then props himself against the headboard and holds his arms open. An invitation which she gladly accepts.

Settling into his embrace with a content sigh. Watery eyes managing to close once she finds solace in his arms.

□ ■ □

"Come on." Sierra lightly kicks his foot with her own. "Gotta go."

He hums and rises from the couch. The snap of his fingers encouraging his brother to avert his gaze from the gun in his hand as they make their way to the door. His face wrinkles with reluctance.

Sierra hisses and pushes a hand against her stomach. Kaden scanning her closely as she grasps his bicep. "Woah. Oh."

"What is it?"

"I think she just kicked." Curiously she guides his hand to her bump. Brows instantly furrowing when the strange feeling occurs again. "Hey grumpy uncle, you wanna feel this too?"

"Get the hell over here man."

With a scoff he conceals the firearm under the back of his shirt, deliberately sighing loudly whilst reaching out. Face unreadable as she guides his tatted hand to the same spot. Skin warm against his. He's like a damn furnace too.

He frowns and retracts. "Nah, I don't like that."

"She only kicked your hand." Sierra remarks and opens the door. Hearing her name being uttered in a warning tone, she stops to allow Kaden to walk ahead as discussed. After she almost got shot on the doorstep, he decided he won't be taking any chances.