Tipping her head back, she laughed at the idea. “Where? He’s all muscles, orders, and duty. Hell, I don’t think I’ve seen him smile once.”
“Okay, so it’s hidden.” Jinx’s grinned. “Now come on, it’s cold. Let’s get this night train rolling so I can get you to myself.” He nodded to Carson who pulled the door open.
Jackson stepped into the room first, with them following, Carson and Lukas taking up the rear. Everyone was already in their seats at the small tables around the room. They glanced at them as the pair made their way down the aisle with the guards. She felt as if she was about to be on trial.
She took a deep breath, trying to push away her fears as they turned to face the audience. Jinx gave her comfort with his arm around her waist, as did Jackson’s presence beside her. She wished she was holding Claire. It would give her something to do with her hands. Something to focus on.
“It is my honor and privilege to introduce my mate, Summer, and our daughter Claire. As the parents in the room will understand, sometimes children fall asleep at the worst times.” Jinx chuckled. “Claire has been through a lot recently and hasn’t been sleeping very well. Now before we mingle so you can meet the new Alpha Female, there are a few announcements that need to be made.”
“Do you want me to take her?” She whispered when Jinx nodded for Lukas to come forward.
“Not on your life. She’s sleeping, and after last night I won’t have her woken.”
That sent chills through her. Last night had been the worst one yet for little Claire. She had woken from a nightmare, screaming. Jackson who was asleep across the hall came running half naked with his gun in hand. He stood in the doorway, looking for something he could kill, anything he could do to stop her from shrieking, but there was nothing. Clearly pained that he could do nothing to help Claire, Jackson left them alone. Whatever Avery did to her or her mother was haunting her dreams. Because she wouldn’t talk, there was little they could do, so Summer and Jinx had taken her to bed with them and cuddled her close.
Summer blinked the memory away and returned to the present despite her exhaustion.
“Everyone here knows my brother Lukas,” Jinx continued. “You also know he has been spending time in Alaska, helping the clan their with their computer needs. Being that most of it has been confidential, that is all any of us can tell you.” He paused, waiting for Lukas to step up next to him. “However, while I was away, things have changed. Lukas will now take over the newly created position as the clan’s Lieutenant.”
A round of applaud and hollers of way to go and congratulations followed until Lukas raised his hand, silencing the room. “Thank you everyone, it is an honor to step into his position. I hope I will make everyone proud.”
“Lukas is going to do a fine job, and having him here will make me confortable when I need to travel,” Jinx said. “One more announcement before we let the evening’s activities begin. Because I have a family now, it is time to assign Elder guards to our protection. Jackson has agreed to come on as Summer’s Captain of the Guards, with Carson as his second. Claire is young and won’t be leaving Summer’s side, at least not until we’ve worked through her fears. So I’m not permanently assigning guards to her yet. Summer’s guards will protect her as well.”
“How long are you home for?” a man at the first table asked.
“Uncle Tony, I’ll be home as long as I can. We need to take Claire to see someone in Alaska who believes she might be able to help Claire overcome her past.”
“She doesn’t need a therapist, all she needs is family,” a woman called from somewhere in the room.
“I won’t go into details about it, but I will tell you this. Claire spent her whole life locked in a room below ground. Until two days ago she had never been around people, felt the sun on her face, the grass under her feet. She has been doing well as long as Summer is there, and she has taken a liking to Jackson and me, but we will still need to take things slow with her. If tonight becomes too much then we’ll have to leave.”
Summer cleared her throat, and gained everyone’s attention. “Claire has seen more than some of us have seen our whole lives. She’s frightened and we have to do what’s right for her. I’ve seen Robin, and the therapist get others to open up to her. If there’s a slight chance she can help my daughter, I’ll do whatever I can to make sure she’s seen.”
“Maybe children of her own age would be good for her,” the woman suggested.