Vice

Thirty Nine

Three hours later Ryder and James sat in the extravagant living room of the apartment. The penthouse was silent, the only sounds was the soft whirl of the Keurig machine as it spit out James' dark coffee. Both stared out the large windows, although neither of them actually saw the nightly lit city or washed out stars.

"You shouldn't have sent Trevor. He doesn't know what a baby needs." Ryder's deep voice interrupted the calm silence. James eyes didn't move from their fixed position, but some of the clouds faded from the overcast of his irises.

"That's why Lottie went with him."

"About that," Ryder shifted to face his leader head on. Although working underneath him, Ryder felt he was more his brother than superior. "Are you comfortable with their relationship?"

James eyes slid to glance at Ryder before returning to their original position. "Lottie and Trevor are stronger when their together. Separately they are both impulsive, but together they plan out their actions. There is more to loose when they care about the person standing next to them."

Ryder nodded, "And you're view is the same with you and Thea."

James tensed, his eyes cleared of their fog and he gave Ryder his full attention.

"After what happened with Adalyn I wasn't sure if you'd feel the same about relationships."

James opened his mouth to speak but Ryder rushed forward, "Personally, I think you should go for it. That is if you can convince her of the same, which will be a difficult task. She's nothing like Addie. We all see that." He paused to make sure he hadn't crossed any lines. James was still and silent, thinking over his words. "She's strong, James. The strongest I've ever met."

James ran a hand through his hair. "I know. But I'm beginning to think she's beyond my reach."

Ryder made a sound that was half way between a laugh and a snort, a strong gush of air leaving his nostrils. "She's not beyond your reach. In fact, I think you already have her in the palm of your hand."

Upstairs, Thea held the baby with gentle hands. Staring down at the small being in her arms, she couldn't suppress the small smile. The baby mirrored her smile and cooed softly as Thea stoked a finger along its cheek. She frowned as her finger reached the small mark on the baby's neck-- a bruise in the shape of a mans large fingers.

"What did they do to you, baby girl?" Thea whispered softly, bringing the baby up to her face so she could press her lips to her forehead. She continued rocking the baby in her arms. Several times the baby's eyes grew heavy and closed, then reopened fighting off the sleep that came with the comfort of being held in Thea's warm embrace. When her eyes finally shut for good, succumbing to the peaceful bliss of slumber, Thea set her into the basket of blankets that would suffice for a makeshift crib.

"You're good with her." A husky voice said from behind her. She turned, surprised to see James leaning against the doorway.

"I used to take care of my sister when she was little. " Thea shrugged. She stepped out into the hallway and closed the door to the guest room behind her.

James accompanied her to her own bedroom. He entered without hesitation and sat on the edge of her bed. Thea cast a curious glance over her shoulder then opened her closest door. Frowning down at her clothes, now splattered with red, she turned to James and gave him a pointed look.

He put up both hands and turned to face away from her.

"You used to take care of your sister?"

"I was seven when she was born. My mom had to work most days and we couldn't afford a babysitter. "

"Seven..." his voice trailed off as he did the math in his head. His eyes went wide.