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Carter stared at the images, completely still, not moving while McKenna watched him carefully. When he was quiet for too long, she began rambling.
“You don’t have to. I just thought?—”
Carter cut her off with his hand on the back of her neck again and his mouth crashed hard to hers. He kissed her intensely then softly let his mouth linger, releasing a heady slow breath. “It’s perfect, Kenni. So fucking perfect.”
“You sure.”
“Yeah, I’m sure. One change though. She gets my father’s last name. Not hers. They deserve this.” He pressed his forehead to hers once more. “And I appreciate you giving it to them.”
“You’re giving it to them. Your money, remember?” She smiled and he chuckled.
“Your stubborn ass.”
“You love my stubborn ass.”
His response was a sinfully slow curl of his lips. “I can't even front, because I do.”
Chapter
Sixteen
“Carter…” Kohen greeted him with a drink, Black Ops Bourbon, and offered a cigar which he turned down but accepted the glass. He took a seat at the bar and Kohen leaned against the back side of it, one arm folded over his chest, the other lifted while he clutched his glass. “What’s up? You look like you have some heavy shit on your mind.”
Carter laughed dryly and nodded. “I wanted to holla at you about something.”
“The last time you wanted to holla at me about something, my sons ended up at a compound in Texas.”
A smile eased onto Carter’s face. “Your decision, not mine. I would have been perfectly content handling things solo.”
“I’m aware,” Kohen muttered. “But what’s on your mind?”
Moses had extended the offer of family but Carter couldn’t discuss his fears of bringing a child into this world while walking the path he was on. That wasn’t anything Moses would be able to weigh in on, but Kohen could.
“Kenni is pregnant.” He felt his expression tense and Kohen arched a brow.
“Am I congratulating you or helping with an escape route?”
Carter chuckled lightly, sampling his drink before he twisted the glass on the polished wood surface. “I’m not running.”
It had been almost a month since they’d discovered McKenna was, in fact, carrying his child. The thought kept him up at night, torn between his happiness and the concern attached to not only loving and protecting McKenna but also their child.
Moses and Olivia were thrilled when they showed up two weeks after confirmation to show them the ultrasound and ask that they stand in a private ceremony for Carter and McKenna. The two married at their beach house in Clearwater, a foot away from the water, with her parents as the only witnesses. They didn’t need an audience, just the confirmation of Carter giving McKenna his last name.
“You sure? I distinctly remember that look you have very clearly. The same one I saw in my reflection when Elena told me she was pregnant with Emir.”
“Then you know why I’m here.” Carter’s brows pinched.
“You’re free to walk away if that’s what you’re asking. The deal I offered was never about forcing your hand.”
“You couldn’t force me to do a damn thing, Kohen.” Carter smirked arrogantly.
“I’m aware.”
“But this isn’t about that. I know how to navigate that space. Killing comes easy. I’m good at it. What I don’t know is how to fucking navigate being a father. I can’t mess this up.”
“You won’t.”
Carter snorted and tossed back the rest of his drink. Kohen turned and lifted the bottle, placing it next to Carter’s empty glass. He immediately replaced what he drank then pushed the bottle away. It was early afternoon and as stressed as he was, he refused to drink his troubles away.
