Chapter 5

Before Avery could retreat, Jamie bumped into him from behind, forcing him to stay much too close to passing range of the tiny, fragile thing he wanted no part of. Narrowing his eyes at the other sub, he made a mental note to damn well use restraints the next time he needed the man to stay put.

“Connor sent me the security video—he recognized one of my students stopping at the front door. Judy. She hasn’t been here in months.” Jamie reached out to move the ragged gray blanket from the baby’s face. “Now I understand why. Poor girl was trying so hard to turn her life around, but she was already overwhelmed between school and work. I wish she’d come to me…”

That Jamie was close to any of his students was news to Avery. The Center always seemed like a bit of a side project for the man, a way to keep himself busy when he couldn’t be useful at The Asylum. Not that Avery doubted he cared, but showing it was a different story. It sounded like he’d really tried with the girl.

With Avery’s own profession, he’d learned there were limits to what he could do for the people he saved. Sometimes he was afraid he was too detached, but getting emotionally invested could be fatal.

And there were others far better suited to handling victims than he was.

Or, in this case…?

Babies.

Peering over Jamie’s shoulder, Avery inspected the tiny human’s pudgy pink cheeks. The way the big blue eyes screwed up as the little thing’s lips parted. And the wailing started.

Reggie gave Jamie a helpless look. “This is when I usually give my grandkids back to their parents.”

Not at all fazed, Jamie scooped the baby out of Reggie’s arms. “Shh, you’re okay. Your mommy was just scared, but she might come back for you. I’m gonna make sure she has that option, yes I am.” He smiled as the baby stopped screaming the second he adjusted them against his chest. “There we go. Hey, I’m not too bad at this. Do you think—?”

The man had lost his mind. Avery quickly shook his head. “You’re not keeping it. There are places to call or we can bring it to the hospital or a fire station. They’ll know what to do.”

“Don’t call her an it. And we’re not sending her off for someone else to deal with.” Jamie rocked from side to side, his tone not at all matching his words. It was like he was talking to the baby, his voice all soft and reassuring, but still holding a touch of crazy. “We need supplies. Reggie, you might not do good with crying babies, but you know what they need, right? Take my credit card and spare no expense. Maybe bring Keiran? He’ll be good at figuring out what she needs to eat.”

Being a proper adult with some sense, Reggie didn’t immediately rush off to do Jamie’s bidding. “Son, I know you want to help, but Avery’s right. We need to contact the proper authorities.”

A stubborn set to his jaw, Jamie shook his head, arms protectively cocooning the baby against his chest. “All that will do is put more obstacles in Judy’s way if she does come back. She brought her baby here because she trusted me to take care of her, and that’s what I’m going to do.”

There didn’t appear to be any room for debate. And it wasn’t a security risk, so Avery wouldn’t bother pulling rank. If Jamie got himself in trouble breaking some random law about keeping kids, Rhodey would make it go away.

The trouble, not the baby.

I should probably call him…

He wrinkled his nose, missing the last of the exchange between Jamie and Reggie. Was this really a Rhodey-worthy issue? His Dom had enough on his plate. Stray kids was kinda Tracey’s thing, but she already had two sick little ones to deal with.

Including Ana, who should be Avery’s priority.

But he couldn’t figure out what he could offer besides escorting the soup.

Merc problems are much less complicated than ‘normal’ ones. I’d like to return to that, please.