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That changed my mood. I scowled. “What’s going on? He’s healthy, right? Did you get everything he needed with that card?”
Riley held his hands out in front of him, patting the air and laughing softly. “He’s fine. I got him everything he needs. Calm down, Papa Bear.”
The ruff of my neck had sprouted thick brown fur and my fangs had dropped without me realizing it.
“Oh. My bad.” I watched my hands as inch-long hooked claws disappeared back into my human hands. “Just protective, I guess.”
Riley grinned again. “It’s cute.”
“Cute?” I never liked being called cute, but in this case I could make an exception. Especially if it got him to call me Papa Bear again. “If you say so, but only ifyousay so.” Riley giggled and dropped his eyes again.Head in the game, Brenn.He came to you about Petey. “So, what’s going on? Where is he?”
“In his crib. I put him down to sleep. He’s getting through the night really well.”
“That’s great to hear,” I said, as if I knew anything about baby stuff. “How are things going so far?”
“Great. We’re getting settled in nicely and learning about each other.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, what his personality’s like, things like that.”
“His personality?” I scowled in confusion. “Babies have personalities? Even when they’re fresh like that?”
Riley chuckled at my ignorance. “Yeah, they do. They’re already pretty big after six months. Holden always had a lot on his mind. Petey does, too.”
“Silly of me. I should have known that. He’s a person, after all.”
“I’m just surprised you really care, to be honest.” He took in a quick breath, afraid he made a huge mistake, but I only laughed.
“That’s what all my buddies are saying, and the news outlets who picked up on the story. Everybody thinks I took Petey in to save face, and that I’m going to use my money to hide him away so he has the best of everything, but I never have to look at him again. They don’t know who I am.” My brow furrowed, upset at what the world thought of me. “They can think I’m a bad person all they want, greedy, evil, corrupt, but I don’t like that they think I’d throw away my family.”
Riley nodded along. “I follow you.”
“I don’t know what I’m doing. I’m good at business, not at parenting. That said, if there’s one damn thing I do know how to do, it’s learn and adapt so I can grow.”
“You really, truly do care.” Riley’s eyes burned, and he blinked away the tears that wanted to form. It made me wonder what he’d been through. “That’s all you really need. What do you want to know about him?”
“Well, what does he like? He has to have things he likes already.”
Riley brightened up. “He sure does. Come on.” He waved me along with him. I hurried to follow, forgetting all about the shirt.
Riley led me down the long stretch of hallways to where he and the kids slept, his motions quick, but pausing every few moments the way a squirrel would.This omega is so cute I can’t stand it.Another cute thing was his little squirrel butt. I tore my eyes away and forced them to look down the hall, toward the nanny’s quarters.
Finally, we arrived at the door with his name on on it. He put a finger to his lips. I mimed zipping mine. Riley pushed the door open and there, in the crib next to his bed, was Petey, fast asleep.
It was jarring seeing him again. I hadn’t actually gotten used to him being here. The thought of him, the sound of him, yes. The baby, live and in living color, not so much.
Riley pointed, whispering, “He loves the stuffed bear I bought him, see?” I creeped closer to the crib. Petey made a slightsnicksound as he sucked on his pacifier, and he was indeed clinging to an adorable plush bear. “It’s sort of like his comfort blanket.”
“Order him ten more,” I whispered back, “so we don’t run out.”
“Already did. Not ten, though, should I get ten?”
I shrugged. “Why the hell not?” We shared a silent laugh.
Next, Riley pointed to a colorful pad in the corner. “He loves his tummy time-”
“What’s that?” Riley explained it to me and watched the gears turn in my head as I absorbed it. “Babies are more complicated than any business deal I’ve ever put together.”
