Don heads straight for Lacey, his priority being his little girl. I can respect that. He places a kiss on her head and hugs her tight as they share some words.
My brothers approach me, and Cas is the first to meet Peanut. His eyes glaze over, and he sniffles. “She’s beautiful, Cole.”
Rafe is next. He places his finger near her hand, and she grabs on tight. “Hey there, little arse kicker. Wow, she’s so tiny…”
Ethan steps up next to him and elbows him out of the way. “Stop hogging the baby. Oh wow, she’s a little blondie just like her mummy.” A genuine smile appears on his face. He should smile more; it suits him. He clears his throat and makes an excuse about dust in his eyes before Nate steps up next.
“I hope you like your crib, little one. Uncle Nate is the favourite…remember that, sweetie pie.” I roll my eyes as he goes to check on Lacey.
Then there’s Archie, my brother in name, in heart, but not by blood. He’s the reason I realised I could be a dad to little Peanut here. DNA doesn’t define true family. He looks on in awe, and I nudge him with my shoulder ever so gently. “I could never thank you enough, Archie, for getting there in time. For being with her and making sure both my girls were safe.”
“You’ve always treated me like a brother, Cole. Even before my parents…Before I came to you all. You didn’t have to do that, you know? I-I…I will always love you all, and now I get an extra person to love.” He kisses her softly on the head and makes his way over to Lacey.
My mum and dad wrap us in a double hug. “I’m proud of you, son, and you have one hell of a woman there.” My dad kisses me on the cheek, then kisses Peanut’s head. My mum does the same before cupping my cheek and smiling at me.
“Cole?”
I turn to find Don, standing beside me, hands in his pockets.
“Could I?” He nods towards Peanut, and I hold her out, placing her in his arms. He sucks in a breath before looking to the ceiling. Tears welling in his eyes, he looks back down at her. “My god. She is so beautiful, she looks just like Lacey did when she was born.” His smile is broad, and it mirrors my own.
Someone clears their throat from across the room, and my attention is drawn to Vik, half standing in the room, half standing out. “Hey, Lacey, congratulations.” He nods at me and then the rest of my brothers as he walks outside.
I walk over to Lacey and kiss her. “I won’t be long, baby.” I look at the girls. “Keep her company for me?” Emmy smiles at me and nods.
Hayleigh rolls her eyes. “Obviously, we will…Plus, I want my auntie cuddles. And full disclosure, I am her aunt, and I am going to be the one who lets her get away with murder.” She smiles sweetly up at me, and I shake my head, knowing she’s right.
Cas nudges me. “Come on, let’s go see what he knows.”
We walk outside the room, and the midwife eyes me from her station as we walk by. “We won’t be long.” I try to give her my best award-winning smile, but it doesn’t work; she taps her watch and returns to her notes, and I quickly follow Cas out into the corridor.
My brothers are all out here with Vik and another man I’ve never seen in my life. If I have to guess, I’d say he is close to my age, early to mid-thirties. His jet black hair is greying at the temples, and his eyes are bright green. He eyes me with caution and whispers something to Vik, who in turn looks at me and nods, a small smile lifting at the corner of his mouth.
I cross my arms and widen my stance. “What’s going on?”
Vik goes to speak, but Mr Newcomer speaks first. “I believe you’ve been having issues with Ted Lowes?” I nod but don’t say a word. “Okay, well, not anymore. He’s gone.”
Vik slaps his hand on the back of the new guy's chest. “Way to make us sound like the mafia, Dante.” Dante smiles, not a kind or warm smile but more calculating.
“Not the mafia, no, but well enough connected, and I could always use a connection in the construction business.” He raises his brow at me, and I get the meaning.
“Do you guarantee he’s gone for good?”
His mouth turns down as he tilts his head side to side. “For a long while, at least. Enough time to get your affairs in order.”
“Why?” Nothing ever comes for free with men like this. “What do you have to gain?”
“Let’s say I’m a sucker for a happy ending.” He turns to walk away, but stops and turns his head over his shoulder. “Oh, and Cole? I will come back for my favour. Nothingillegal,of course.” With that, he walks away.
“Vik, who is he?” Cas is still staring at the mystery man.
“My cousin, Dante Russo.” He shrugs dismissively, but Rafe’s eyes bug out of his head.
“Wait,thatwas Dante Russo?TheDante Russo?” Vik nods and eyes Rafe with a peculiar look, but before I can decipher it, Archie nudges my arm.
“Come on, that midwife keeps giving us the evil eye. She kind of scares me.” I turn around and head back in with my family, relishing in the knowledge that Ted is no longer a threat, and a strange calm settles over me.
I have my girls.
