Page 56 of Code Violation

From opposite me at the table, Mason presses his lips into a thin line before he clears his throat and takes his first swig of beer.

“I get that you wanted to give Vesper the choice, and that’s how it should be, but …”

He pushes a hand through his dirty-blond hair, and my heart sinks on his behalf. When I blurted out about a potential pregnancy earlier, I didn’t stop to think of all the issues he and Eloise had experienced when they tried to start a family.

“I want to have a baby with her more than anything,” I cut off his mental spiral, quickly clarifying where I stand with my responsibilities. “Did we plan to have unprotected sex? No.” I swallow thickly. “But I’ve been in love with her for a long time, I’ve always wanted a family of my own, and there’s no one else I want to do this with.”

Will sits back in his chair, tongue gliding along his bottom lip. “I have two more questions.”

Tristan rolls his eyes, making sure that Will notices him.

“Does Kane know anything yet?”

Mason swallows his latest sip of beer, setting the glass back down on the table. “I’m guessing not since Cap still has all of his limbs attached.”

I nod my confirmation, opting not to address the fact that I still don’t give a fuck what Kane thinks. To my teammates, it’s only Kane who is capable of doing serious physical damage to someone. They’ve yet to see me when I truly lose my head. If they had, they wouldn’t be worried for my safety.

“Question two,” Will continues. “Does she share the same feelings for you?”

My stomach sinks, skin prickling with discomfort.

I shift in my seat, words failing to materialize.

“I’ll be whatever she needs me to be. We can co-parent if that’s what she decides.” Disinterested in my beer, I push it away, a sick feeling rising up my throat. “Total transparency: both of us have always wanted a family, but other than Vesper, I’ve never met anyone I want that with, and I know she feels the same way. Sure, she’s only twenty-four, turning twenty-five in a couple of months, but she’s also lost faith in men.”

Will offers me a small smile. I’m nine years older than him, and he’s already found his person for life. I guess it’s hard to put himself in my shoes.

“Are you hoping that she’ll fall in love with you?” Mason redirects my attention to him.

Now, this is a question I can answer with ease.

“Yeah, and I plan to make her the happiest woman on the fucking planet.”

Tristan clicks his tongue, a cocky smirk overtaking his face. “With statements like that one, you could make even the doubters like me believe in a happily ever after.”

Will side-eyes him. “Don’t get ahead of yourself, Tristan. Silas isn’t a first-rate asshole, so he has a shot at Vesper falling in love with him.”

Tristan grabs a coaster from the table and launches it at Will, Frisbee-style.

It smacks him between the eyes, and I slap my palms down on the table, rising to my feet.

“I’m calling time on tonight and this conversation before it descends into more bickering between you two.”

I’m halfway to the exit with the guys trailing behind me when I feel a vibration, and I almost rip my pocket, yanking my phone out.

“Wait.” Mason holds out both hands, preventing Will and Tristan from moving. “Our boy might have an update.”

It feels like the longest time as I unlock my cell and navigate to the message.

Knockout

Hey, can you meet me at the bar tonight after my shift? I should be done by midnight, and I want to talk to you face-to-face. And I know it’s late, but I don’t think this can wait.

19

. . .

Vesper