Page 171 of Godless Saints

Moon shot me a look. “He’s the one who never behaves. If only one time he could behave.”

Keira laughed. “Yeah, well I hate to break it to you, Hyun, but Ashbourne men never change.”

Ma sighed. “Well, I tried raising them the best I could. But I wanted girls. And look what God gave me.”

The table erupted in laughter. Even Da cracked a grin.

Rory sat up straighter, chest puffed. “I’m gonna be Thorn too. I just know it. I’ve already been planning on winning all the underground fights.”

Keira rolled her eyes, but she was smiling. “Yeah, it’s all he talks about. And practices for.”

Lorcan pulled his son in, rough. “Yes, you will, son. Show those cunts—”

Keira smacked his arm. “No cursing at the dinner table.”

Lorcan shrugged. “Just saying. I’m proud of my kid.”

I slid my hand onto Moon’s thigh under the table and squeezed. “So… we’ve been talking,” I said. “About starting a family.”

Da stopped mid-drink. Ma’s eyes went wide.

Moon looked at me, surprised. I pulled him closer, arm slung around his shoulders. “Yeah. We’re looking into adoption. Maybe surrogacy too.”

The table exploded with joy. Chairs scraped back, crowded around us with hugs and congratulations. Ma kissed Moon’s cheek. Da clapped me on the back hard enough to rattle my teeth.

“I’d say we do both,” I added, grinning.

Lorcan barked a laugh. “Yeah, watch yourself, Hyun. This guy will have twenty kids if you let him. All fighters. All Ashbourne personality. You better heavily influence those kids, or you’re gonna have a house full of brutes.”

Keira swatted him again. “Stop. I think this is great.”

Moon took a sip of wine, cheeks flushed but smiling. “Yes. I think one would be enough for me, but I know Cillian will be a good father. I’m getting there.”

Ma reached over and squeezed Moon’s hand. “A child doesn’t need perfect, love. They need someone who stays.”

I leaned in, pressing a kiss to his temple. “Nah. I got faith in you, lad.”

Moon elbowed me. “Don’t call me lad.”

***

I leaned back in the armchair, whiskey glass loose in my hand, and watched them.

Moon looked relaxed. Really relaxed. Shoulders down, laugh coming easier, cheeks flushed from the wine and the fire.

Ma kept finding reasons to touch him, squeezing his hand, fixing his sleeve, pushing more food onto his plate. Da gave him one of those small, solemn nods that meant more than praise from anyone else. Keira and Lorcan dragged him into every argument, demanding he take sides and turning on him whenever he chose wrong. Even Rory had planted himself beside Moon’s chair, reenacting his latest boxing match because Moon had laughed the first time.

It was good to see.

House of Moon kept him busy. His father kept him performing for scraps of praise. The board kept taking his time because Moon kept handing it over.

He was getting better at saying no. I made sure they heard it. One of them cursed him out on Tuesday. On Wednesday, he arrived with expensive wine and a trembling apology.

Moon was stunned.

I smiled into my glass.

They mistook his restraint for permission.