Jinx’s Mate(26)

“I hope so. If things go badly, it could be disastrous for Claire.” The elevator dinged and she hugged the girl to her.

“Let the show begin,” Ben whispered.

“For Claire’s sake, I hope it won’t be a show.” Jinx slid his arm around Summer’s back.

Ashley strolled in—maybe waddle was a better word—with her hand on her stomach. She was due any day and it showed. Her belly was round and full with the cub she carried. Her eyes were still red and puffy from crying. Her mate, Michael, walked behind her.

“Claire!” She cried out, holding her arms open as if she expected the girl to run to her. When she didn’t, Ashley glared at Summer. “You’ve turned her against me.”

“How could she have done that?” Tex asked, coming farther into the lobby sitting room.

“I don’t know, but she did. I’m her sister.”

Claire cuddled deeper against Summer, holding tighter. “She doesn’t know you as family,” Summer said calmly. “She’s scared, and you coming in here screaming isn’t helping anything. How about you sit down and we do this at Claire’s pace? You can’t expect miracles.”

“Who do you think you are giving me orders?” Ashley raved until her mate placed a hand on her shoulder.

“Ash…” Michael began until Ashley turned and glared at him.

“Summer’s right. Sit down or you can leave,” Tex ordered. “I won’t have you doing more harm to the child.”

“You would force me from her life? I thought this clan you’re building was supposed to be about family, and responsibilities. Or does that only apply when it suits you?”

“Ashley, you are out of line.” Michael took hold of her arm.

“No, he’s out of line trying to keep me away from her.” She gripped her stomach as a cry of pain tore through her lips.

“Are you okay? Do we need to get a doctor?” Michael wrapped his arm around her, keeping her on her feet. “See what you’re doing to yourself and our child?”

“No doctor.” She cried out, pain lacing her words.

“Let her sit.” Ben pushed a chair over so Ashley didn’t have to move. When she sat, he knelt next to her. “Look at Claire. Really look at her, and see what this is doing to her. Is this what you want her to remember?”

“She’ll remember I fought for her.”

“No, she’ll remember the fighting, the anger. She’s scared and you’re making it worse.” He held up a hand before she could cut him off. “I know you’re family, but she doesn’t know you. Blood means little when you’re scared. Right now all she knows is her mother is gone, and Summer is the only one who’s familiar to her.”

“What do you want me to do?”

“You can see Summer cares for the girl. Why not let her help Claire adjust to this new life? She’s been through a lot, and forcing her to stay with you when she’s terrified is only going to make matters worse.” Ben glanced back to Summer and Claire. “You know she’ll be leaving once Jinx has helped with the security issues for the resort, but they’ll be back often so you can see Claire. If things change in the future, we can reevaluate it then.”

“Claire needs help.” Jinx waited until Ashley looked at him. “She hasn’t spoken to anyone, not even Summer, since she was brought out of her prison. You met Robin, the therapist from the Alaskan Tigers clan. She believes Summer can help.”

“You swear she’ll help her?” There was a pity in Ashley’s voice that wasn’t there before.

“We’ll do everything we can for her.” Summer soothed the last of the tension from the little girl’s shoulders. “I didn’t realize it before, but every day I’d go visit Claire, she won my heart. I love her as if she was my own flesh and blood. I’ll do right by her.”

“What about you?” Ashley glared at Jinx. “Are you going to be jealous of having to share your new mate with Claire? Will she be forced aside so you can have Summer to yourself? Or once Summer is pregnant with your own child?” Ashley shot the questions at Jinx faster than he could answer.

“Summer will be like a daughter to both of us. She’ll want for nothing, not love, attention, or material things. She’ll be surrounded by people who love and care for her in West Virginia, as well as here.”

Ashley looked to Tex who stood silently waiting. “You swear you’ll let them come back?”

Tex nodded. “They are no threat to this clan, and are always welcome. We will forever be indebted to Jinx’s clan as well as the Alaskan Tigers for what they’ve done for us.”