KnightForce Deuces by Sydney Addae Page A

ground with his bucket. Sarita
trailed behind him like a shadow.
    “Stubborn as a bull,” Victoria said shaking her
head.
    “Mama, he’s not that bad,” Jasmine said trying
not to laugh. Anyone who spent time with David knew her baby was
particular. If he didn’t think something was a good idea, he let
you know and then he’d decide if he would do it or not. Fortunately
he never disobeyed her or Silas but she knew that day would
eventually come. Of all the children, he reminded her of the Silas
she met in the hospital that first day. How such a young child
could be so self-contained, she didn’t know. But he was Silas’
son.
    “Yeah right,” Victoria murmured looking across
the playground at David and Sarita sitting on the ground placing
things into the bucket. “Remember that time the kids were playing
in the nursery –”
    “Here you go with that story again. That was an
isolated, well a different situation. All the kids were angry,”
Jasmine said.
    Rose laughed. “David wouldn’t move until
somebody explained, that was funny.”
    “His mama had to explain about the circus for
him to do anything. Can you imagine that? Littlest one in the bunch
demanding explanations,” Victoria said.
    Renee laughed. “Silas had promised and they
were primed. But I don’t think that was being stubborn, just…
curious.”
    “Now I know it’s time for you to catch your
flight and get back to the college campus if you think it’s okay
for a toddler to question his parents the way he did.” Victoria
looked at Renee. “Can you imagine what would’ve happened if you did
that?”
    “Jasmine spanked them, you forgot that?” Renee
said looking at her sister.
    “No, Mama didn’t forget. She just likes to hone
in on the fact that my son asked me a question and I answered.”
Jasmine turned and met her mom’s stare. “That’s how I handled the
situation because I know my children. David wasn’t being
disrespectful; he genuinely wanted to understand what happened.
Adam threw a tantrum but that’s how he is. The girls were
disappointed and showed out as well. Each of them are different and
I handle them differently based on the situation. I would never
ignore my son’s request for information because he’s small. He’s
smart and intuitive, speaks when he has something to say and does
not play mind games like his brother.”
    “I’m not trying to upset you,” Victoria said
waving her hand. “Just making an observation.”
    Jasmine refrained from rolling her eyes and met
her sister’s gaze.
    “David is solid, already got a woman, how about
that,” Renee said.
    “The two of them tend to hang out more than the
others but a lot of that has to do with Sarita’s upbringing,”
Victoria said.
    Jasmine’s stomach dropped. She couldn’t believe
her mom said that. Sarita had been born in a lab and held as a test
subject for the Liege. No one knew anything about her mother, not
even Hawke. The Liege kept him prisoner for decades, breeding him
with different wolves. He had no idea he had pups until recently.
But that was never to be discussed with humans, even
family.
    “What happened?” Renee asked.
    “Her mom died,” Victoria faltered and met
Jasmine’s stern gaze. This was the reason Silas didn’t want human
visitors in the compound. Someone might say or do something that
would violate their security.
    “Asia’s not her mom?” Renee asked looking
across the playground at Sarita. “They look alike, I wouldn’t have
guessed that. Is she at work? Is that why you’re
babysitting?”
    “Yes her mom and dad are at work,” Jasmine said
and then looked at Rose. “How’re you feeling?”
    “My back hurts but that’s been my complaint for
a while. I’m ready for this part to be over.” She looked at Jasmine
and offered a weak smile. “I want to hold my babies.”
    “Soon, sweetie. You want to walk around a
little bit?” Jasmine asked, watching Tyrese and Danielle enter the
courtyard.
    “Rese, Rese