by Emma James
“Yup. Figure she’s not gonna like being separated from you. I’ll have to sweeten the deal. You might have to have a couple of sleepovers to soften the initial split.”
“I can do that. My sister will be fine. Harper’s a lot tougher than she looks.” So much wisdom hidden behind Presley’s eyes.
“She will survive.” Like her mother.
I turn to Bowie, who’s looking like his heart has been stomped on. Christ kid!
“New rule under my roof: Knock before entering Harper’s room, and the door stays open! Understand?”
“Yeah.” Now the kid sounds dejected.
“Just remember... for the next fifteen years, she’s off-limits.”
“I’ll be so ooold,” Bowie complains.
“Better than de—”
“Edge!” A sharp warning from Boxer before a hand clamps on my shoulder.
Can’t a man scare the shit out of a kid?
I feel the suckling pressure release from my nipple and look down at my sleeping baby boy. Already I can see he looks so much like his daddy.
Colton fed until I was beginning to wonder if I would have five whole minutes to spend alone with Edge.
I position him so I can gently pat his back to release a burp, knowing he will sleep right through the process.
When I’m satisfied, I lay his little sleeping body against my breastfeeding pillow on our bed.
Our house is getting filled with children, and in the next couple of years, there won’t be enough rooms to accommodate every child.
We both can’t bring ourselves, just yet, to sell this home and move to a bigger house because of the memories it holds, but we want another baby in my womb within two years. I crave a big family, and we are well on our way.
In the master bathroom, I quietly organize what I need to express milk, then I carefully move the wingback chair into the bathroom from the bedroom, keeping the door open so I can watch Colton sleeping.
I undo my robe, freeing my naked breasts. It’s time to use the uncomfortable breast pump and fill another bottle to add to the dozen bottles I’ve already got stored in the fridge and freezer. I like to keep a large stock on hand while Lily is visiting, to give her some extra bonding time with Colton, also I can now enjoy a few drinks tonight.
Lily has offered to look after Jagger and Colton if they need anything during the night with Jakob happy to assist.
Lily can’t get enough of being around her grandchildren, and she is no doubt praying Mathias will come through with a bunch of babies one day for her to coddle when she visits from Norway a couple of times a year.
It is precious time she has with them before they grow to a whole new size the next time she sees them, so I don’t feel bad knowing she is taking on a lot of work today with Jagger and Colton. Jakob seems to be just as pleased to be helping out.
Lily only had Mathias to love and do all those motherly things for while grieving and heartbroken over the loss of baby Dallas.
Edge had an evil father, a heartbreaking childhood, but he is the most amazing, loving father. You would never suspect he was once a killer.
That side of him now lies dormant.
Edge told me everything he had done to get to me when I got taken. He killed, and he didn’t hesitate to. He didn’t get to kill Filip because family became his top priority.
Discovering he had a biological brother changed all that. His priority was his brother; he couldn’t lose him a second time. The need for revenge took a backseat to family. I don’t doubt Edge would have wanted that kill for everything that got done to me, but it wouldn’t have changed anything.
I’ve had a quiet word with Hazard, knowing he killed Filip so Edge could be there for Mathias, when we nearly lost him. It was a scary time because Mathias did die on the operating table, but by no small miracle, the doctors revived him.
I wanted to know what Hazard did to Filip in detail. Call me what you wish for needing to know, but I had to have closure. I needed to know I could not get hunted down again. Hazard was hesitant. Club business is club business. But he also knew if anybody deserved to hear it, it was me.
Back then, I was damaged on the inside, with many boxes sealed down tight, but I listened willingly to the breakdown of every item used to torture the Hell’s bastard before his broken carcass got disposed of.
I hate knowing we are keeping such big secrets from our children, but they can’t discover their father has killed and about my past.
Sometimes secrets kept are better than the blood-red truth.
I pray our hand never gets forced because if it is, then the peace we know will have been shattered.
Something I never told Edge. He may have destroyed the proof of what was done to my body when I got drugged under William’s plantation roof, but I did work out why I had still been a virgin and why I woke up sore after being “touched and abused” through the therapy sessions with Dr. Sally May.
I used Edge, the man I loved and trusted, to erase and replace what William had done to me when he arrived at Slade’s Cape Cod-style home on our birthdays. I took that back from William and closed that box—never to get unsealed again. Edge now has that place on my body. He has the right to go there, and that is something I will keep to myself.
The Hell’s bastard can no longer take from me.
I won’t ever allow anybody to try to destroy me or what is mine.
I’m a woman with a lot to lose.
But I’m no longer a victim.
My past holds no power over me.
I choose love over warring with my past.
Now that I am a mother, I know how precious this time with all our babies is, and especially what it means to Lily.
Lily is a strong woman to live with her grief for thirty-one years. She was lucky when all her prayers got answered.
If any of our children ever got taken from me…
… I would not rest until vengeance was mine.
A killer will be born, and “War” will be her first name, “No Mercy” will be her middle name, and “Vengeance” her last name.
***
I cradle my sleeping babe and make my way toward the nursery to freshen Colton’s diaper up. There was a lot of grunting going on while Colton fed, a sure sign a diaper change is necessary for a long uninterrupted sleep.
I lay Colton on the changing table and get to work cleaning up a messy poo while he sleeps soundly through the process.
Finished, I lay him in his crib and check on Jagger’s crib. He’s sleeping soundly too.
Edge has the nursery rigged with cameras aimed at Colton’s and Jagger’s cribs. Juan has assured me that Happy over at the outdoor kitchen has a monitor and will be able to see if anything is going on in the nursery and the next shift in the surveillance room at Masson, and Schenk will be watching the nursery tonight as well. If any of the boys wake up, Lily will get notified to attend to them.
I carefully wash my hands in the nursery room’s basin that Edge had installed for convenience and pat my hands dry gently.
My hands hurt. The bandages were annoying, so I took them off after I finished using the breast pump. Air will do the grazed skin some good.
I glance at my reflection in the large wall mirror above the basin. I can see an ugly bruise has already formed on my elbow, but I ignore the pain. I know tomorrow will be worse.
It still bothers me how hard I fell. I’ve tried to ignore the niggling feeling I’m getting in dem bones of mine. I now know what Miss Catherine meant by “dem bones” because I can’t shake the stubborn thought that I got pushed hard.
But how could I have been?
I find my bride in the nursery, watching over the sleeping boys.
I snake my arms around her robed body, pulling her gently against mine. “Wife…” I kiss the back of her neck. “From my calculations, we have four hundred and twenty seconds left before my brothers are gonna get restless, and no doubt Tucker is going to stir that pot first, regarding our whereabouts. Now th
at won’t bother me in the slightest, but we do have a reception Juan has put a lot of work into, so how ‘bout you and I head to our bedroom for that three hundred seconds?”
Whisper turns in my arms and starts kissing me hungrily as I walk backward away from the cribs, hitting a wall.
I tug at her robe, revealing her mostly naked body to me while our lips are locked, her hands roughing my hair up.
I lift her so she can wrap her long legs around my body, disturbing our kiss. “You hurting?” I need to know. I feel her shrug. “Babe... if you’re in pain—”
“Just kiss me, husband. We’ve got three hundred seconds for you to have your wicked way with me.”
I like the sound of that far too much.
My back hits a wall just as my phone vibrates in my pocket. If somebody is messaging me on my wedding day and everybody important to me is here, it’s gotta be worth checking.
I pull my cell phone out of my suit pocket and scowl at the screen, hitting up the message.
Tuuucker!
Tucker: You might want to move away into your bedroom before you put on a porn show for your wedding guests
Plus
Ewww doing that in front of the sleeping infants
Anybody would think it is your wedding night
You two randy kids should be waaay over all that horny teenage stuff by now
Get a room
I look at the camera in the nursery and aim a middle finger at Tucker.
“Who is it? What’s wrong?” My wife’s eyes are big and worried.
“We’re on baby-cam.” I turn a grin on my wife and watch her look horrified. “Hold on; we’re going to our bedroom. We’re on the clock, and I need to use the time wisely. Oh, and by the way, Bowie confessed to driving without a skateboard license.”
“Ooh...”
“Yes. Oh. You’ve been keeping secrets from me.”
“And?” She’s wondering how much he confessed.
“Aannd... our daughter is going to be getting her own room tomorrow.” Ain’t that the truth.
“Ooh—”
“And, a lock will be installed on her door.”
“I see.”
“Now, I need those three hundred seconds with your body.”
My woman smiles seductively. “It’s more like two hundred and forty seconds.”
“I can work with that.”
My beautiful wedding dress is back on, my makeup in place and my hair...well, not as perfect as it was before, but it will do.
The most delicious smells waft about to meet my senses as we walk through our home, holding hands and out to the loud cheers and whistles—mainly from all the men—making me blush heavily under their roars of laughter and loud clapping.
I gather Tucker wasn’t the only one to spot what was happening in the nursery.
I duck my head into Edge’s neck, feeling my face start to roast, holding back a grin. Boys will be boys.
A few of the guys slap Edge on the back in a friendly you’re-the-man way, and I get kisses on the cheek.
Birdie has her Polaroid camera out snapping a pic, while others have their cell phones or cameras waving in the air, capturing memories.
“All right… you’ve got that out of your system, let’s move on, shall we.”
This is Edge telling them they’ve had their fun at my expense because he isn’t embarrassed to be caught by his brothers spending time with me, that’s on me.
The thing Edge isn’t going to allow is for me to feel uncomfortable. If I’m laughing, he’s happy, but these guys will keep going. Sometimes they just need an off switch flicked.
I look around my back garden. The sun has gone down, and the twinkling lights bring with it a super romantic ambiance.
It’s the perfect atmosphere to wind down in. Our backyard looks beyond amazing, almost like we’ve stepped onto a movie set.
“Babe... pretty fucking spectacular.” Edge gently squeezes my waist.
“Perfect. Everything is so perfect.”
“Are you two gonna be staring into each other’s eyes all night, or can we get this party started?” Tucker loves to banter with Edge.
“Tucker... always the wise guy,” Edge says loud enough to be heard with good-humor.
“And don’t you just love me for it?” Tucker boasts.
Edge groans loudly, trying to smother a laugh. “Not really.”
Without Tucker’s generous help, I wouldn’t have been able to get safely out of Alaska on such short notice. For all his cocky-ass comments, the guy is loyal, and I know Edge would trust him with our lives. He just likes to keep Tucker’s ego in check.
With a hand placed over his heart, Tucker’s theatrics begin. “You wound my soul, man.”
“Here we go,” Phoenix calls out from somewhere in the crowded garden.
“Excuse me for a few, babe, while I get us some drinks, and Tucker is desperate for some attention from me. I won’t be gone long.”
“Darling, you go have a beer with your brothers, and that includes Tucker. I’m going to go mingle with the ladies.”
“Okay.” He kisses me soundly on the lips and then turns and walks in Tucker’s direction, hollering out, “Tucker, do you remember that time Phoenix—?”
“Not this again. You only know this because Faith and Birdie blabbed. I chose to be a gentleman”—Tucker’s voice rises—”I’m not gonna hurt a lady, just to prove a point. Geez-Louise.”
I wave at Phoenix, making a beeline for her and Slade, who is rolling his eyes at Edge and Tucker.
I’ve heard all about the time Phoenix laid Tucker out in Texas when he first met her while he was coming onto her. He apparently could have overpowered her—so he keeps telling everybody. I think Phoenix knows how to look after herself.
A vintage crystal champagne glass makes it into my hand along the way. I hold it gingerly.
Juan is by my side walking with me, his glass almost empty. “I’m all out of popcorn.” He points with his thumb over his shoulder and shakes his head good-naturedly at the ongoing Tucker and Edge banter. “I have emptied the bowl on Holland and Retro’s antics.” He sighs. Edge and Tucker have the same sort of relationship that Retro—Birdie’s husband—and Holland—Juan’s husband—maintain. “Those two are a source of constant amusement for me.”
We clink glasses.
“Here’s to you, Mrs. Masson.”
“And to you, Mr. Baxter.”
I come to a stop, with Juan imitating my actions. Careful not to stir up the pain in my hands, I wrap my arms around him, giving him a heartfelt hug. “You are so talented, kind, and sweet, Juan. Thank you again for all your hard work. You’ve done an incredible job, and I haven’t even seen a third of the garden, yet.”
“Without sounding big-headed... I think I outdid myself with a few extra touches. The look on your face when you made your entrance is enough, thanks. You are so genuine, and I love you for it. I had an absolute ball planning this event and such a pleasure to execute it all. Teaming up with Birdie for decorating advice was brilliant, and having Flora’s rental furniture and bits and bobs available was amazing. I’ll be recommending her services. She’s such a doll.” He takes a drink of champagne and leans in. “I notice Torque’s showing major interest in our Flora. What do you know? Spill.”
Holland walks over and hands Juan a fresh glass of champagne, taking the now finished glass out of his hand.
“Thank you, Holland,” Juan says politely, slipping one arm around his husband.
“With your permission, Whisper, I’d like my talented other half to now be off-duty and enjoying the night ahead schmoozing with you and the other guests.”
I hold a grazed palm up to Juan, halting any protests about to float from his lips and direct my words to the big, handsome, muscular man. “Of course, Holland, Juan has done more than enough as a professional. Now he is here as our dear friend.”
“You two rehearsed this moment, didn’t you?” Juan is no fool. Holland knew it had to come from
me.
I pretend not to hear Juan. “Happy has the food covered, and we can all help ourselves to drinks. Everybody will dig in to help spread the food out over the tables when the time comes. We’re all just one big family here tonight having a party with plenty of people able to chip in and help.” Then I do look at Juan. “Honey, it’s your time now to enjoy the night with Holland.”
“I reinforce what my woman just said.” Edge scoops me up against his side possessively with a beer in the other hand. “We both can’t thank you and your team enough for our day and making sure it all ran like clockwork—well, some of it was out of your hands—now is for partying and letting your hair down.”
“Okay.” Juan smiles at his husband. “Holland, I’m all yours.”
“Never doubted it, but I know you won’t be able to help yourself. I’ll accept you only helping out when food is going to the tables, and the cake is getting cut, everything else can run itself. Deal?”
“Deal.”
“I’m going to whisk my bride away now and go find Flora. I hear I need to put her fears to bed regarding skater-boy so she can relax.”
I hook my arm through Edge’s and steer him away with a wave over my shoulder directed at Juan and Holland.
“Babe, I think you’ll also have to make an appointment with Birdie to design Harper’s new bedroom.”
“The little boy next door isn’t a villain. He’s just a little boy.”
“Christ! This is not gonna be fun when Harper hits her teenage years, is it?” Edge growls under his breath, holding his beer up when one of the guys holds their can up to us.
“Nope! But you will handle it all gracefully.”
“You think so?”
“No, but I’ll be there by your side to be the calm in your storm.”
“Shit... “
“You will learn.”
“I only want to protect my daughter from horny boys.”
“Nobody gets horny when they’re only eight years old. Just remember, some father’s daughter will be with one of our “horny” boys-to-men one day, and if they are anything like their father...”