Doc stared at him for a moment. “You don’t even have to ask, brother. They’re part of my family, too.”
Leo handed him the envelope. “I left instructions, a life insurance policy, and letters to my kids, even this new little one. Remind her every day how much I love her,” he said, his voice catching.
“What’s going on, Leo?” Doc demanded. “You never talk like this. It’s like jinxing the mission.”
“We always think we’ll have time to fix things, to tell people how much we love them. After Victoria and Kassie’s brush with death, I should’ve learned. Maybe it’s because we’ve always left on good terms, but something’s telling me I need to have my affairs in order. I’ll feel better if I know I can count on you to follow through. You’d feel no differently if you left your kids right now.”
“I give you my word. Catherine and your children will always be cared for, no matter what,” Doc said with conviction. “Your ass better come home and do it yourself.”
“Will do, brother. Can you call Kassie? I want to spend some time with Kit Kat before Saint drops the kids off,” Leo asked.
Doc picked up his phone. “Hey, Princess, can you come to my office?”
Leo waited as Kassie said something to Doc.
“I’ll see you in a minute,” Doc said, hanging up. “Kassie will be here in a minute.” He picked up the paperwork, took it to his filing cabinet, and locked it up.
“Take care of yourself out there,” Doc said while they waited for Kassie.
“Do me another favor. Can you check on Whiskey? He’s gotten a bit scatterbrained lately. I keep having to redo paperwork. I already took Stormy aside and asked her to double-check everything. Hopefully, I’ll be home before he signs up to guard a flock of emus. I’m not kidding. A man wanted to hire us to follow them across the country.”
Doc chuckled as his wife entered the room.
“Why didn’t you tell me Leo kept you in here? I hoped you rang me for a booty call,” she teased.
“Gahh, PITA,” Leo said, holding his ears. “I don’t need to picture that.”
Kassie giggled as she sat beside him.
“If you came to get your wife, I already drove her home. She ate lunch, and I filled her water bottle before I left and left two snacks on the table.”
“Thanks. I came to beg a favor from you,” he said.
“Anything,” she said, gazing at him with concerned eyes.
“I need you to take care of Kit Kat for me. Make sure she goes to the doctor, she’s eating right, and call in a helper for the kids. I’ll cover the cost,” he said, rubbing his chin.
“You don’t even have to ask. Of course, I’ll take good care of her,” she assured him. “Did something happen? Are you spinning up?”
Leo gazed at the woman he saved years ago, knowing their relationship grew into more of a big brother-little sister role. “We’ve gone through a lot together, PITA. I’m spinning up tomorrow. Kit Kat will be by herself, and she’s not happy about this pregnancy. If I’m not back in time and she decides, willyou tell her I support her decision? We haven’t spoken about it much. I don’t want her to feel guilty about anything. My mistake put us here.”
Kassie leaned her head against his arm and took his hand. “She’s my best friend. I’ll support her no matter what. Pregnancy can be hard on a woman’s body. You made a mistake, but she’s not punishing you. She’s barely recovered from Derrick, and she’s exhausted and sick. I’ll rearrange her hours and ensure she has support. I won’t leave her alone until you return.”
Leo nodded. He got what he came for. Doc and Kassie’s words were as good as gold. Rising, he shook Doc’s hand, each sharing a silent communication. Kassie rose and hugged him tightly.
“Stay safe and don’t worry about things at home. I won’t let her do this alone,” Kassie promised.
“I’m holding you to it, PITA,” he whispered in her ear. “I’m going home and enjoying the peace for another hour with my wife before my little monsters arrive.”
Leo turned and headed for the door and opened it. He glanced back at one of his best friends and practically his little sister. “I love you, Doc and PITA. Thanks for everything.”
“We love you, too, Leo,” she whispered as her eyes filled with tears.
He gently shut the door behind him and headed home.
Entering his house, he heard music coming from the bathroom. Following the sound, he found his wife deep into a bubble bath, moving her head to and fro with the music as she sang at the top of her lungs.
He leaned in the doorway and watched her with amusement.
