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I don’t blame him.
Even I’m wary when Gray turns his gaze from the kid and looks at me. “Never threaten me again.”
“Leave,” I snap, having had enough of this.
Gray steps into my space, meeting my eyes when no other would ever dare. “Never,” he warns, and then he spins on his heel. He stills and meets Zoey’s eyes, and something passes between them, something I really don’t fucking like. I grab him by the scruff of his neck like the wild animal he is, drag him to the side gate, and throw him out.
“Stay away from my family, Gray, or you’ll be dead quicker than you can react. I mean it. That’s not a threat, but a promise.” I slam the gate on his face, but some deep dark part of me knows that’s not the end.
Layla is distracting everyone at the party, so I move in on Zoey, not happy with how her gaze is on the gate and hard for me to read. “Do not go near him, Zoey. I mean it. If he comes near you, hide and call me. He’s dangerous.”
Her eyes finally meet mine, bold and unafraid. “And you’re not? Yet here I am, calling you my father.” The minute I flinch, she softens, letting go of whatever other words she has in her arsenal that could cut me deeper than a blade. “I will, Ric. I’ll stay away from yourfriend. Promise. Now let’s get back to the party, okay?”
I nod and let her lead me back to my family. When Layla melts into my arms, I finally relax—it’s the only time I ever can. Layla is the only person who can ever breach my solid exterior. She smiles up at me and pats my chest. “She’s okay, husband. She can handle herself.”
“That’s what worries me, baby girl,” I admit, leaning down to kiss her. As I taste her soft, sweet pink lips, I wish everyone else was gone so I could carry on, especially when she whimpers into my mouth. Pulling back, I meet those sparkling eyes I could spend the rest of my life losing myself in. “You’re mine after this party.”
“I’m yours forever,” she teases, making me grin as she escapes the circle of my arms. “Now come on, husband, it’s time to celebrate.”
She giggles when I grab her hand and twirl her around as everyone dances to the music. I pick up Gage and spin him with us, making him laugh, and Zoey eventually joins in with Sophie until my whole family is around me. My life is so filled with love and laughter I almost can’t believe it.
I don’t deserve it, but fuck knows I will never give it, or them, up.
She’s right: Layla is mine forever. They all are.
And this is just the beginning of our story.
The End
