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“I think you might do alright as well,” Lavender teased before he became serious. “I am looking forward to seeing you and Blake build your own little family. I’d like to help in any way I can,” he added. He’d thrown Speed off balance again. For a moment, Speed’s instincts warned that Lavender was fishing or setting him up. Then, Speed remembered the many promises he’d made to Blake.
“Thank you.” Speed took a moment and considered the best way to return that olive branch. “I do have my own canary in the coal mine with Francis,” he said quietly, then looked over his shoulder. “I called Francis last night and he’s still spinning his wheels and worrying about the rosary. But I’m not worried because he hasn’t called Declan.”
“Declan?” Lavender parroted and Speed grinned widely. He tapped his temple.
“Francis wasn’t Mary Leary’s only son,” he reminded Lavender, enjoying the hitman’s stunned expression.
“I forgot that Leary has a brother.”
“Everyone forgets because Declan never wanted anything to do with Mickey and he and Francishateeach other. They haven’t spoken since they were kids. Mickey treated Mary like shit and Declan never forgave him. And he never forgave Francis for choosing Mickey over their mom. But I know that Francis is about to do something serious if he calls Declan. Francis will want Declan to know how to take care of Mary without him.”
“Very smart,” Lavender admitted begrudgingly. “And you feel confident that Leary doesn’t suspect anything?”
“He sounded just as lost and hurt as the last time we talked,” Speed said brightly despite the ache in his chest. Francis sounded like hell, and for a moment, Speed was afraid he’d want them to hide out and plan together. He could feel how broken and lonely Francis was and the stupid kid in Speed wanted to be there to comfort his brother.
“Excellent,” Lavender said before Sage called for everyone to make their way to the dining room. The chatter around the table was boisterous and warm, welcoming Speed with gentle jokes and playful dares. Speed didn’t feel like an outsider or as if the others were being guarded and wary. He’d been deemed worthy and Lavender was respectful and engrossed as he picked Speed’s brain about a possible shift in the European markets after the death of a notorious financier. Meanwhile, Blake, Lane, and Sage talked about their summer gardens and traded recipes.
It was a relaxing and revelatory morning for Speed and he was quietly honored to have been included as everyone complimented Sage for another incredible brunch.
“Can I have a moment before we all clear out?” Denver asked as he stood and looked at Lavender.
“Of course.” He nodded and bowed, giving Denver the floor as he lowered into his seat.
“Right.” Denver pushed out a hard breath and he rubbed his hands together nervously. He looked around the room at everyone, then smiled at Ezra. “You know my sister, Helena?” He asked. It took a moment but everyone eventually nodded. “She saved some of her eggs and her best friend, Julie, offered to—although Julie was more like another big sister—but Julie has three kids and said she wouldn’t mind…um…”
He was rambling so Ezra got up and put his arm around Denver, smiling at everyone. “He’s trying to tell you that Julie’s pregnant. We’re having twins in a few months and we’ve decided it’s time we got married.”
There was wild cheering around the table, even Speed got caught up in the excitement and stood so he could reach across the table and clasp their hands. Everyone was in tears—of happiness and anticipation—and Speed was surprised to see a room full of grown men dissolve into puddles over babies. But there was an eruption of questions about due dates, ultrasounds, cribs, and more baby-related jargon that quickly went over Speed’s head. Lavender eventually cleared his throat and brought the room back to order.
“You’ve been together and engaged for a few years now. What were you waiting for?”
Denver’s eyes glittered as he nodded and he couldn’t take his eyes off of Ezra. “We’ve wanted to for a while but the last few years have been kind of hectic and it never seemed like the right time to bring it up,” he said and Lavender looked startled. He shook his head as he stood and came around the table.
“Don’t do that! Celebrate lifenow. While you can.” He reached and gave Denver’s shoulder a knead but he waited until their eyes locked to continue. “Especiallyyou.You’ve foughtso hardfor this.”
“I know,” Denver whispered raggedly. “But I wouldn’t have Ezra or even be standing here if you hadn’t saved my life in Dubai, or Reginald hadn’t stopped me from killing myself, or if Aiden hadn’t called Ezra. And Toly…” He laughed and shook his head.
“It was a simple VR simulation,” Toly said dismissively but Denver snorted.
“That ‘simple’ simulation put out the fire, Toly. I’m not afraid to close my eyes because my dreams areamazingnow.Youmade this possible and I don’t want to get married if you can’t be there,” he said and Toly nodded quickly.
“I will be there,” he promised, making Speed’s heart break as the two shared soft, watery smiles. They had both endured torture and captivity but had fought bravely for their freedom and happiness.
“That would mean a lot,” Denver said to Toly, then smiled around the room. “I know it’s a little fucked up to say this because Sage went through hell and we have no idea how much this has hurt Robin but blasting me out of hiding was the best thing Ryker Boone could have ever done for me. He sent me here to be executed and damn near everything in my life has gone right since then.” That got a lot of laughs but Denver was serious as he looked at Lavender. “I owe you and this family my life. I didn’t want to get married to Ezra if you all couldn’t be there.”
Lavender coughed softly. “What did you two have in mind?” He asked as his gaze rested gently on Denver and Ezra. Denver sighed dreamily as his eyes drifted back to Ezra’s.
“Just something small at the cabin. We have it all worked out and Helena, Dave, Ed, and Julie can fly out with the girls in two weeks. I hope that’s enough notice for everyone.”
“That’s…soon,” Lavender said, his eyes widened and he looked stunned for a moment but he recovered. “I have a feeling we won’t have any problems clearing our schedules. I’ll get word to Reginald. We were already discussing their return,” Lavender said as he offered Denver his hand. “Congratulations,” he said and pulled him into a tight embrace.
“Thank you for everything, boss.” Denver threw an arm around him and held Lavender tight before clapping him on the back. Everyone closed in to hug and congratulate Denver and Ezra as they asked questions about what was needed for the nursery.
They needed everything, apparently. In true Denver and Ezra style, the babies’ nurseries had been identified at the cabin and they’d begun hunting for a bigger place in Chicago but nothing had been purchased yet.
“We’ve been really busy and Ezra’s afraid to tell his mom because she will buyeverything.Ezra’s only giving her two days’ notice about the wedding so she can’t turn it into a spectacle,” Denver explained, earning a frown from Lavender.
“Have you planned anything for the wedding yet?” He asked and Ezra beamed as he nodded.
