Choosing Jada [Book 2]

Heart Ajar

My body felt a jolt as I shot up, holding my son tightly. He laid on my chest and the moment I moved he began to cry. I was still in the back of the SUV which had come to a stop. I held Matteo and unclipped my nursing bra. I cradled him and helped guide his mouth toward me as he wailed. I brushed his cheek as he began to calm down before latching and becoming quiet. He closed his eyes and I could hear his rhythmic breathing and gulping as he fed. I could hear the front door open, so I swiftly spotted the sling from before and used it to cover myself. The door opened not a moment after I had covered up.

"I-" I said in a hoarse voice. My vocal cords were so sore. I attempted to clear my throat before addressing the two men.

"Give me 10 minutes, I'm feeding my son," I asked them.

They looked at each other before one walked off. The other stood there. I awkwardly looked elsewhere, I felt quite uncomfortable. I took a quick peek at Matteo who looked relaxed with his eyes closed. I looked back up and tried to see out the door to see where we were. I could see some gray concrete fencing. We were parked along the street. I had no idea where they had taken me but my nerves had increased. I could hear the buzz of cars in the background. I couldn't see far but I just waited, focusing elsewhere. I felt like I was being dragged around to god knows where. I felt entirely out of the loop. The scary part was Lorenzo was truly out for blood. We barely got away safely and I have no idea if Alessio is safe anymore. I couldn't shake the idea of not feeling all too safe without Alessio. Having him in my life again, I'm not sure I could imagine him apart from Matteo. I'm not sure I ever see my future without him around at some point.

I felt a sudden chomp on my nipple and winced. I quickly looked in the cover and placed my finger on the side of his mouth, breaking the seal and releasing my sore nipple. It felt like he was biting me. I clipped my bra back together with one arm as he wiggled a bit. I then picked up Matteo and placed him on my shoulder to begin burping. I rocked along as I patted his back with a steady beat. What would I do if I was left alone? In the back of my head was the pain in my right leg, consistent. I hated this feeling like I was at the mercy of someone else. I just wanted to take control of my life. I knew, even in my perceived choice to walk away from Alessio, that wasn't my choice. I was being manipulated. I just wanted to feel like a normal person. I sighed just as Matteo let out two small burps.

"Let's go" the man beside me by the door said. 

I nodded and stood up to follow him. I put my left leg out first and I went to step on my right leg and fell forward like an idiot as the pain shot up my back again. The only thing I could do was rotate my body so I wouldn't land on my son. Before I could land I was suddenly caught mid-motion. My body jerked a bit as we were caught. The man looked at me annoyed before quickly helping me to an upward position.

"I'm sorry" I quickly said. 

I couldn't even place any weight on my right leg. I stood on my good leg, and leaned against the door so I could steady myself.

"Let me help!" I heard someone call out. 

I couldn't see who, but it didn't take long for them to approach me. She was an old woman with mostly grey hair, sprinkled on black. Wrinkles around the mouth and crow's feet. Her eyebrows were straight and bushy. Her skin olive skin sparkled ever so slightly and she smelled like mint.