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“Things were really messed up with so much drama going on. I tried to keep everything straight, tried to take my pill like I should…but apparently, the universe had other plans.”
What the fuck is she hinting? It takes my dull, battle weary brain a few solid seconds to get the message. Then the world shifts like a carousel for the third time in one day.
“Jesus,” I whisper, sitting up. “You mean you’re…”
“Pregnant.” Red leans into me, nodding faintly.
Several things happen at once.
The pain drains out of my body, despite my bones screaming for rest less than a minute ago.
I can’t fight the gnawing urge to put my lips on hers, taste and own and mark the woman who’s just told me she’s carrying my kid. My second fucking born, and first of many.
She moans into my mouth. I swallow every soft tremor of her sweetness.
My dick goes hard like it’s stealing life from the rest of me.
No, I’m not insane. We’re too beat up and drained to fuck like we should right now. But damn if crushing her to me in the tightest embrace, kissing her over and over for the next hour, and fingering her engagement ring with my thumb isn’t almost as satisfying.
I never thought I’d ever find that with any woman, the electric understanding that’s a dimension beyond feral sex.
Until tonight, I never had this certainty, this full freak perception we’ve found our place. We belong. This time, forever.
Whiskey lets out a squeak at the edge of the bed. Even the damn cat agrees.
“Dang, Mr. Howard. You’re looking boss today. Way to go all sauce-master,” Tony grins and salutes, his not-quite-grown dimples folding in. Hard not to notice how much he looks like his older brother, Zane.
If this wasn’t the happiest day of my life, the familiarity in his face would sting like a bastard. So would realizing this high school kid is the closest thing I’ve got to extended family. Plus a widow from Missouri, and a mother who lost her only son. Closest living thing, I should say.
Hell, I’ll take it. Proudly.
He’s a good kid, and all three of them are the only people left on earth who can understand what today means.
They’ve seen me at my worst, even when I was comforting them. There are some things I couldn’t hide. The sadness, the angst, the urge to kill ripping my soul in two.
Now, they deserve to see my best. I’m bringing it in droves.
“Thanks, kid. I owe you for giving me a second set of eyes.” I step forward, slapping him on the shoulder. “How’s the legs today?”
He smiles sheepishly. “Doc says I’ll probably get the braces off before college. Going to Iowa City next year. I’m gonna try for engineering.”
“Good man. Braces or none, you’ll pull the ladies. Just keep smiling and be bold.” I give him a reassuring squeeze, letting him know I’m not BSing. “You’ll make Zane proud, whatever you do. Just hope I manage to do the same today.”
“Yeah. Thanks.” His face falls to the ground for a second. Mine, too.
It’s hard not to think about the ghosts on my wedding day. Avenging Adam, Zane, and Erik is the whole reason I’m here on a sunny spring day. Life’s more perfect than it’s ever been. I’m truly ready to make my wife the ultimate promise.
When I think of my dead men lately, it’s a fleeting sadness.
Nothing will bring them back. But I’ve made peace with moving on.
The prick, Jackson, has lived up to his word for now. I track every penny coming in or out of his accounts. He paid for Tony’s visit to the Mayo Clinic last month, where someone competent finally fixed his legs.
Sadie says his marriage is on the rocks. Ginger stays in touch and talks an awful lot about leaving. But the baby who has a few more months before being born won’t let her make any hasty decisions.
I don’t care, whatever works best for her, and keeps asshole’s money going where it should.
I’ve kept my eye on the checks rolling in to Bev and Mrs. Folwell, too. So far, so good. It’s live and let live, never mind the little voice inside me that wants to take a spontaneous trip to where they’ve resettled in Maine, and break his face all over again.
Thankfully, I’m a million miles from those thoughts today. I escort Tony out of the dressing room, pointing him upstairs to the main deck, where we’ll have our ceremony.
The steamboat I’ve rented out for our wedding is one of the finest on the Mississippi. So big it easily accommodates our small guest list. Also gives Mia something to scream happily about. I’ve promised her a river boat ride forever.
It’s a hell of a day to deliver.
I watch Tony walk off and take his seat. In another half hour, I’ll be hearing music, watching my blushing bride walking down the aisle. Trying like mad to control the incessant throb in my balls the whole time.
