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He showed it even in other ways, like crossing three state lines while planning the murder of a man that had the audacity to hurt the woman he loved.
Oh, yes. I’d cover for him.
Then I’d show him how much I loved him when he got home.
And I did seventeen hours later when he appeared in the bed as if he’d never left it.
“Hey, baby,” he said, watching me warily.
I didn’t like that look on his face.
Not one single bit.
I moved toward him, crawled up his body, then lifted his hand to press against my belly.
The babies were kicking up a storm, and I was holding out hope that someday soon, he’d be able to feel them.
Today was that day.
His eyes widened as he said, “I felt that.”
I lifted my hand to his cheek and said, “Thank you.”
He didn’t bother to ask what for.
He knew.
“I’d do anything for you,” he rasped.
I knew he would.
He’d joined a circus for me.
Killing a man seemed easier.
“Anything but marry me,” I teased.
His eyes gleamed as he said, “I’m waiting until you’re no longer pregnant. But trust me, it’s gonna happen.”
I didn’t doubt him for a second.
EPILOGUE
I’m not as mean as I could be, and I think people should be grateful for that.
-Coffey’s secret thoughts
COFFEY
Years later
My heart was in my throat as I watched my wife tumble to the ground.
My firstborn daughter, who was only two and some change, plummeted to the ground. Though much less controlled than her mother had.
My second born did the same a few seconds later.
And I had to close my eyes so I didn’t jump forward and try to catch them.
“It never gets easier, bro,” Keene said from my side.
I grumbled a few choice words under my breath, causing him to chuckle.
“Whoa there,” Zip caught Damine, my firstborn named after my father, and set her a little straighter on the silk. “This leg right here needs to come down first.”
Our second born, Alora, came down perfectly.
That didn’t stop Simi from giving her tips and tricks when she got to her feet, too.
“You need to learn to relax, or the next sixteen years are going to fuck you up royally,” Val said at my other side.
I knew she was right.
That didn’t mean that I could just let go of the fear that took hold of me when they were all so high up in the air.
Hell, Simi had been doing the aerial silk show since she’d recovered from her pregnancy. I’d seen her act half a million times now.
That didn’t mean that the fear of her falling and killing herself wasn’t still there.
“Daddy, did you see?” Damine squealed.
I rubbed my aching heart as I said, “Yes, ma’am.”
“I saw, too!”
I turned to see my old team in the doorway, but it was Autry that was the one to call out.
“Auty!” Damine squealed.
Then she was running, her feet moving so fast that she got tangled in the silks as she tried to move.
“No love for me?” Sienna called out just as Damine made it to Autry.
The last-second change in course had us all laughing as she barreled into her aunt instead.
Sienna, Autry, and all the others were there for one very special occasion.
Tomorrow, in the middle of this big-ass tent, we would be getting married and Simi had no clue.
“Oh my god!” Simi called out in excitement. “What are all of y’all doing here?”
“Here we go,” Val whispered. “Showtime.”
Now it was us having to hide the fact that we were planning a wedding from the one woman that knew us best.
“We’re here because it’s time to celebrate Coffey’s birthday, of course,” Sienna lied.
Simi gasped and turned. “Oh my god. I forgot!”
She forgot because she was likely pregnant again and didn’t know it.
Though I wouldn’t be telling her. She’d have to figure this one out on her own.
I loved watching her pregnancy brain in action. Plus, she hadn’t wanted to get pregnant again so soon. She’d wanted her pre-baby body back before she got married. I’d agreed. But also, only because I’d already had the perfect wedding set up for her. I only needed our original meeting location to come up again to make it happen.
Did it happen to be my birthday? Yes. Did she forget it? Also, yes.
But I wasn’t upset. Because keeping her feeling guilty might very well keep her in the dark about what was really going on tomorrow until there was no way for her to back out.
“Daddy?”
I bent down and picked Alora up.
She was my introvert. Meanwhile, Damine was passed around to every single guy and gal there.
“I am so sorry,” Simi whispered as she came up to me.
I caught her hand and placed it against my lips before saying, “Don’t worry too much. I forgot myself.”
She rolled her eyes. “You’re such a bad liar.”
I chuckled and tugged her close. “Maybe I wanted you in the dark.”
