“Mom?” Sawyer questions from the floor, the first to notice my appearance.
“I’ll be back later,” I reassure him as he pushes to his feet.
“Shit,” I hear Kav grumble.
All eyes in the room are on Shannon and me now and the gazes are weighing me down like a bolder on my shoulders.
“Have a good evening, gentleman,” Shannon says brightly, tugging me along toward the kitchen and garage. “Don’t wait up.”
“Kiddo,” Dylan warns, gifting him a dagger-filled stare from Shannon.
“I’ve got my gun,” she says pointedly.
“Me too,” I chime in to ease the tension.
Nick’s sapphire eyes are churning with fury as I quirk an eyebrow at him.
“You two have made your point,” Callaghan relents.
“No point bein’ made. We’re goin’ out!” Shannon says with a slight shimmy. “Love you!” She offers the room a big blown kiss before winking at me.
“Love you boys,” I say sweetly to my kids that are staring at me like I’m an alien invasion of their mother.
“Love you too,” they respond in unison.
Cara has a smirk on her lips. She gets it. I don’t know how she gets it, but she does. I send her a grin before turning my back on the room and following Shannon to her SUV. We climb in and speed off before anyone has the chance to follow us based on the acceleration Shannon uses.
“Turn off your phone,” she orders. “You know he’ll try to track you. I’ve already got mine off.”
“What about the baby? Don’t you need to be available?” I feel bad I’ve dragged this heavily pregnant woman out of the house on a Saturday night in January.
“Kel knows how to find me,” she assures me with an ornery grin. “Time to teach Nicky a much needed lesson.”
Yes, it is.
Nick
“What did you do?” Cole demands as Shanny and Kat exit the garage.
“Pissed her off,” I answer honestly.
“Did you just see her?” Sawyer asks. Shocked that I’m still sitting here after his mother just left the house looking like a model headed for a runway.
“I did.”
“And you’re just gonna sit here while her and Aunt Shanny go out lookin’ like they do?” Dane asks exasperated at me.
“I don’t feel like gettin’ shot,” I respond in a grumble.
“You know dudes are gonna be all over her. Uncle Dylan, I know Aunt Shanny’s pregnant, but she looked awesome too. You’re really just lettin’ ’em go?” Cole sounds distressed, his soft blue eyes brimming with distrust for the men in the room.
“What would you do if you were us?” Kellerman asks respectfully.
“I’d be in a fuckin’ car followin’. I sure as shit wouldn’t be sittin’ here like bumps on a log. It takes nothin’ to lose people. Women like that are treasures and any man that sees them tonight’s gonna know that. Act like you give a shit!” Sawyer screams at me.
“Sawyer,” I try to soothe him.
“Dad,” he responds harshly, puffing his chest at me.
“Jake’s rubbed off on you,” I compliment him.
“Yeah and if he was here he’d kick your fuckin’ ass.”
“True.”
“Fine. If you two aren’t goin’, we are. Cara, we’ll be back once we find Mom and Aunt Shanny,” Cole growls, standing up off the couch.
“Guys you’re not gonna be able to find ’em,” Kav steps in. “They just need a few hours to cool off.”
“I thought you were her protector?” Dane sneers, bucking up to Kav.
“I am,” Kav responds plainly.
“You fuckin’ suck at it,” Dane scoffs in return, yanking his phone out of his pocket.
Kav scrubs his hand over his head as my son orders a taxi like a man while the men in the house sit around like frightened teenagers.
I have beyond fucked up with Kat and I’m at a loss with what to do. When she looked up at O’Sullivan with those sexy hazel eyes, my gut flip and my heart stopped. I never want to see that again as long as I live. I know she was playing and it wasn’t serious. I knew it in the moment, but it fucked with me nonetheless. Then, like a supreme asshole, I basically called her an out of control slut. I’m such a winner. Now I’ve sent her out into the night with Shanny to get into God knows what kind of trouble. SHIT!
“Love your kids, man,” Kav says in a chuckle at their protective ways.
“Cab’ll be here in thirty,” Dane announces to his brothers who all start to move to get ready to leave.
“Thanks for callin’ us a cab, boys. We’ve got it from here,” Kellerman assures them, offering me a pointed look that says get my ass in gear.
“’Bout fuckin’ time,” Sawyer grumbles, flopping on the couch next to Cara.
She curls into his side with the same grin on her lips that’s been there since she laid eyes on the girls.
“Where are we headed?” I ask, looking down at my appearance in sweats thinking I’m not dressed for the evening we’re about to tackle.
“Not to the gym,” Callaghan scoffs, eyeing my clothes too.
I offer him a wry grin. We’re all wearing the same fucking clothes.
“Guess we’ve got twenty minutes to get our asses in gear,” Kav says happily.
He’s enjoying this too much.
“You all okay on your own?” I ask my kids that are still good and pissed at me.
“Yeah,” they huff in unison. “Go get Mom and we’ll be better,” Dane finishes for the group with a meaningful glare.
“Right.”
“Johnny’s asleep and should stay that way for the rest of the night. Can you four keep the baby monitor with you and check in on him a few times while we’re gone,” Kellerman asks the group.
“I’ll take care of my nephew,” Cara says, showing the maturity she possesses.
“I know you will, Baby Girl,” Kellerman responds with a wink.
Cara smiles in return. I love that she’s changing so much already. She’s relaxing and accepting everyone fawning all over her like a champ. Her and the boys can hold down the fort so the adults can attempt to behave like adults for once.
I race down the hall and take a five-minute shower before pulling on dark jeans, a tight navy T-shirt and a dark grey blazer. I slip on brown leather boots and run back down the hall to meet the other guys all wearing similar outfits only differing in the color of shirt and jacket. We look like some kind of boy band for sure.
The cab pulls up and the five of us lumber out to the yellow minivan shouting goodbyes to the teenagers as we go.
“Where to?” the driver asks as we smash ourselves in.
“Bar,” all the guys and Kellerman answer in unison.
“Any particular bar?” I ask as we pull away.
“Bar is the name of the club, man,” O’Sullivan explains with a sly grin on his lips.
“Right.”
We ride in tense silence to Kansas City’s Power and Light District, which is hopping with people pouring out of restaurants, bars and clubs. When we pull up in front of the seemingly old warehouse the line around the block to get in is not a welcome sight.
We pile out of the cab and follow O’Sullivan to the doorman at the head of the line. They talk for a few seconds before shaking hands. The doorman lifts the velvet rope and we stride through to the discontent of the people waiting in line. I feel bad for about two seconds before I’m enveloped by the bass of the dance music and the wide-open space in front of me with a sea of people moving in harmonious waves of undulation.
It’s going to take time to find the girls in here. From the looks of the club the main floor is the dance area with bars and some tables at the edges, while the second story balcony looks like a VIP area. We head to the left up to the VIP area. It’ll give me a good vantage point to spot my woman if she’s on the dance floor.
Past another velvet rope, and we’re in a quieter area with soft couches and chairs in creams and greys. T
here are glass barriers muffling the music from the main part of the club below us. We’re led to a table and immediately brought bottles of vodka and tequila. I barely notice as I lean over an open part of the balcony with Kellerman next to me, searching for our women. It’s dark, other than lights and lasers making my scan more difficult.
It takes us maybe ten minutes to finally locate them. By this time, all five of us are searching. I spot Kat near the middle of the floor dancing like crazy with Shanny. There’s a large group of men surrounding them, watching like panting dogs. Before I do something stupid, I take a moment to stand and watch them. Kat and Shanny seem oblivious to their revelers as they swing and spin each other, their heads tipped back with huge smiles.
I can feel the tension flowing away from all of us as we watch the women we love glow brighter than any of the women in here. A club full of well over five hundred people, and two pregnant women have stolen the show. I feel a ghost of a smile sweep across my face.
It’s short lived because a guy comes up behind Kat and Shanny each, grinding and humping at their asses. I’m moving before I register it, Kellerman and the guys right on my heels. The crowd parts for us easily. I’m sure we look scary as hell prowling toward our women. When we get to the girls they’re alone again dancing with each other. Shanny’s facing me and gives me a pointed look. Yeah, I’m aware I fucked up.
I wrap my arms around Kat’s waist snugly, pulling her warm slightly sweaty back to my front. She slouches in defeat before pushing my arms off her.
“I’ll tell you what I told every other man in here,” she yells without looking at me. “I’m married!”
“Is that so?” I whisper in her ear. Her entire body goes stiff before she slowly turns to look at me. She’s only a few inches shorter than me in the skyscraper heels she’s got on.
Kat levels me with an icy glare placing her hands on her hips dramatically.
“Yeah!” she yells over the music.
Kellerman scoops his arms around Shanny and they start dancing together both observing us intently. The guys are surely here dancing with other women, but I’m focused solely on mine.
“My husband’s a real dick sometimes though,” she continues yelling at me.
“Any guy that’s a dick to you is a fuckin’ fool,” I yell back.
“I’m thinkin’ about gettin’ a divorce.”
“I’m thinkin’ about gettin’ married.”
We stand and stare at each other in the middle of the dance floor. The bodies around us fade into the background and the music dims along with them. I’m the luckiest motherfucker on Earth to have this woman. There’s no way I’ll lose her because I’ve turned into an idiot. The ring in my pocket feels like my only lifeline at this point. I wanted to do romance. I wanted to do sweet and soft, just for her. A sweaty club will have to do.
I drop to my knee in front of her and her hazel eyes go from pissed to stunned in the blink of an eye.
“I love you. I want my life to begin and end with every breath of yours. I’m at peace for the first time in my life and that’s because I share every day with you. I’m not a changed man because of you…I’m the best version of me. I’ll spend the rest of our lives proving to you that I deserve everything you offer me. I’ll be the best father to our eight kids. I’ll be the best partner at your side, offering you support and love at every turn. I’ll love you more each day because I fall in love with you a little more every morning. Marry me, Sunshine,” I finish quieter than I started because the house lights have come on and the music has stopped. All eyes in the club are on us.
I pull the ring out of my pocket. An eight-carat pear shaped diamond with a smaller pear shaped diamonds on either side. I hold it out to her, waiting with baited breath for the only answer I’m prepared for.
Kat hasn’t looked at the ring. She’s staring at me with tears in her eyes and a hand over her mouth. I really hope she doesn’t vomit. That would make this proposal even worse than it already is.
Finally, she nods only a tiny movement.
“Yes?” I clarify that she’s not had some kind of tremor.
Her hand drops from her mouth as she squares her shoulders and beams the biggest smile I’ve ever seen cross her breathtaking face.
“Yes!” she screams at the top of her lungs to the glee of the club that breaks out in cheers and hoots of support.
I climb to my feet and slide the ring on her finger. She never looks at it. As soon as I’m done, she throws her arms around my neck and smashes her lips to mine. The club lights come back on as “When a Man Loves a Woman” filters through the space. I kiss Kat and rock her body with mine as people clap me on the back and shout congratulations.
Our tongues dance along with our bodies as happiness envelopes our embrace. I keep her crushed against me as firmly as I can, wishing we were alone and naked. Kat finally breaks our kiss, panting and wiping tears from her cheeks, her new ring blinding me.
“I love you,” she says with adoration and love framing her features.
“I love you too.”
“All right,” Shanny says at our side. “My turn.”
She wraps Kat in a strong hug as Kellerman pulls me in for a back slapping man hug. We switch quickly. Shanny squeezes my neck so tightly I have to gasp for breath.
“I love you even more right now, Nicky,” she murmurs into my neck.
“Thank you,” I mumble back, meaning that for more than the compliment she just paid me.
She pulls back and looks kindly into my face and I have a memory of an eight-year-old girl and a ten-year-old boy in a backyard saying goodbye to each other. My heart hurt that day like I’ve never felt since then. My heart hurts now too, but it’s with a love so deep it’s working its way into crevices that aren’t used to feeling. Shanny opened my heart and Kat took it over. I have everything I could ever want in life. In this moment, I’m content and complete.
Shanny shoot me her megawatt smile before sliding back to Kellerman as the guys pass Kat around. Each of them scooping her off the floor and spinning her around like she’s their little sister. They may be assholes, but they care about the woman I love. The glow bouncing off Kat’s face is proof that having them care about her is important. I won’t ruin that for her by being a dick about it. I’ll just enforce some strict boundaries with those guys. A five-second rule for touching or something.
O’Sullivan passes Kat to me with a pointed look promising me bodily harm if I fuck up with her. I shoot him a cocky grin as I scoop Kat into my front, kissing her forehead.
“Take me home,” she whispers, laying her head on my shoulder.
She doesn’t have to tell me twice. I offer our group a chin lift and lead my soon to be legal wife out of the club. It takes forever with all the congratulations, but we make our way out eventually. We jump in the back of a cab and go back to Shanny’s house.
We make out in the backseat like teenagers all the way there. When the cab stops my dick’s so hard it hurts and Kat’s hazy sex-filled eyes are not helping the situation.
The boys throw the front door open and our happy mood ends as soon as we see them. They’re still pissed at me and worried about Kat.
Kat hurries toward them and I fall in step behind her.
“Are you okay?” Cole asks, wrapping her in a tight hug in the foyer as I close the door.
“I’m great, sweetheart,” Kat assures him.
Sawyer pulls her in next, followed by Dane.
“Boys, I’m fine. I needed to get out for a bit and cool off. You have to trust that your dad and I can work through our problems. I mean actually work them out. We’re not gonna do the things you’re used to in relationships. We’ll fight, argue, disagree and all of that’s okay because in the end we’ll always come back to each other. We love each other enough to fight for each other more than against each other.”
The relief that passes over their faces is an amazing sight to witness.
“What the hell is that?” Sawyer shouts loud
ly, pointing at Kat’s left hand.
“I proposed,” I answer in a smirk.
“Nice,” he says through his own smirk.
Cole and Dane join along in the smirking, letting me off the hook simultaneously.
Kat finally looks down at her hand and her breath hitches.
“Nicky,” she whispers, staring at the gigantic ring.
“Do you like it?”
“It’s a lot,” she says through a snort.
“You deserve even more.”
“Yeah she does,” Cole agrees, his blue eyes dancing with happiness.
“I have everything I deserve and more with you all. This is just a bonus.”
The boys all smile and converge on their mother almost knocking her off her heels. They let her go and attack me just the same. I hold them in my arms as tightly as I can, relieved they’re not holding earlier tonight against me.
“Let’s go the rest of the way in the house, guys,” I say, releasing them from my grip. Cole and Dane sweep their arms around Kat’s waist as I keep Sawyer under my arm. “Where’s Cara?”
“Takin’ a shower,” Sawyer replies as we enter the great room. He tags the baby monitor off the coffee table before announcing, “We should go wait for her.”
“You guys sure are sticking to her like glue,” I point out the obvious.
“She needs us,” Cole retorts with a shrug before peeling away from Kat.
“We’re goin’ up. We’ll probably just sleep in her room again,” Dane says.
“What’s that?” I ask baffled at his last statement.
“We’ve been sleepin’ in her bed every night since we got here, Dad. You’re already losin’ your spy skills,” he teases.
“By sleepin’ you mean?” I ask, hoping like hell they mean drooling and snoring.
“Dad,” Sawyer huffs at my question. “Sleeping.”
“Noted.”
The three of them kiss Kat on the cheek and give me hugs before running up the stairs to their girl. I’m filled with pride at the men they’re becoming. If Jake could see them he’d be proud of his brothers too. They’re keeping his girl safe until he can come back for her. That’ll be a good story.
Into the Blackness (Blackness Series Book 4) Page 36