He doesn’t reply. I slide into the truck, closing the door, and rolling down the window. I give him a two-finger wave as I start the engine then roll back.
“Bye!” Sadie yells, right in my ear.
I grimace, but Ethan smiles, waving to her, and that’s enough to let me know, that for now, I think my brother is going to be okay.
As I pull out onto the street, I look in the rearview mirror while Lou moves into his side, and he wraps his arm around her lovingly.
Yeah, he’s going to be just fine.
Pulling up at the clubhouse, Sadie and Lucas are arguing in the back seat over the iPad and who gets to use it. I roll my eyes, pulling up the parking brake. Then, I turn around reaching for the iPad. “It’s nearly dinner time, so how about neither of you get the iPad until after you’ve eaten?”
“But Daddy!” Sadie groans.
“No, but Daddy, anything. You need to learn to share, or neither of you get to play with it. End of discussion.”
Sadie pouts out her bottom lip, batting her eyes like she’s trying her hardest to cry. My chest squeezes, but I know she’s only putting on a show. This might have worked for Ethan and Lou, but she’s going to need to toughen up.
“Not today, baby girl. C’mon, they’re gonna have dinner nearly ready in there. You gotta eat all your veggies tonight.”
“But—”
“Sadie, no buts!”
She folds her arms over her chest in defiance. Letting out a small groan, I turn back to the front, then take in a deep breath, jumping out of the truck and move to the rear to help them out.
“Lord, have fucking mercy,” I murmur under my breath before I pull the back door open to get Lucas out.
When I open the door, Lucas is smiling away like he’s happy his sister is getting into trouble and not him. I give him a wink as I unbuckle his belts and place him down on the ground.
Blake’s walking toward us, and Lucas takes off for his friend. I round the car to grab Sadie, opening the door. She’s still sour-faced as I unbuckle her.
“You gonna be mad at me all night?”
“I don’t wanna eat my veggies.” Her tone is so serious, it’s like she’s going to be in tremendous pain if I make her eat them.
“Baby girl, they’re good for you. They’ll make you grow up big, strong, and healthy… and smart, too!”
“Smart like Auntie Lou?”
Gotchya!
“Yeah… just like her.”
She exhales dramatically like this is the biggest decision of her life. “Fine! I guess I can eat them a lil’ bit.”
“Good girl. C’mon, let’s go inside. It’s getting chilly out here.”
Blake and Savanah step up beside me. “I got ‘em, brother,” Blake tells me, grabbing Sadie’s stuff out of my hands, then gestures for her to follow him.
I narrow my eyes on him. “What? Why? What’s—”
“Enough with the questions. You need to follow me,” Savanah exclaims, looping her arm with mine, dragging me away.
I peer over my shoulder to Blake with the kids, seeing they’re completely fine, and I shrug. “Okay, fine… but what is this, Sav?”
She ushers me toward the clubhouse. I walk inside on her arm, all my brothers raising their chins at me like they’re all in on this—whatever the fuck this is. We pass by Fox, and he grips my bicep, making me halt. “Just let go and enjoy yourself, okay?”
I’m confused.
But I nod as Savanah drags me toward the fire pit outside. We exit to the outside area, and it has been converted into what can only be described as a romantic scene from a movie. The ochre flames of the fire pit flicker and dance, giving the dusky slate hue of the evening an instant warmth. The four wooden posts lining the back are laden with glistening fairy lights that sparkle in the dim light. Teamed with the fire, it gives just enough luminescence to ignite the cookout space, making it cozy and inviting. A small two-seater table sits next to the fire with a single candle on top. Two miniature versions of what appear to be hurricane drinks, plus our voodoo doll sits neatly on top of a tiny motorbike on the table as a decoration. I let out a small laugh, more out of shock and awe than anything as Jovie catches my attention next.
She’s standing by the table, wearing the same dress she was wearing the first night I met her in New Orleans. She was stunning then, but she’s breathtakingly beautiful now. The little black number is more revealing than I remember. My cock jerks in my jeans at the sheer sight of how utterly gorgeous she is.
Exhaling, I start the slow walk toward her, the corner of her lips turns up. She’s shining so fucking brightly with the way she’s looking at me, I can’t even comprehend how beautiful she is right now.
“You did all this… for me?”
“I wanted to show my appreciation for the life you’ve given me.”
I step over, pulling her to me.
Our eyes lock—it’s like I see clearly for the first time.
Jovie is all I want.
Her.
My kids.
This club.
All of us, together.
Just.
Like.
This.
Jovie’s arms loop around my neck, and she presses her forehead to mine.
“I was lost before you found me,” I admit.
She smells fucking divine as she leans in closer. “I will always find you. You’re my home, Liam. You, Sadie, and Lucas.”
I had no idea hearing those words would feel so fucking incredible.
My lips press to hers, just needing to let her know how much this all means to me. She’s gone out of her way to make me feel special tonight. I should be doing this for her, yet she’s got my club to help her to do this for me.
She’s one of a fucking kind.
I kiss her, letting her know how much I appreciate everything—her sacrifices for me, for my children. My body comes alive, her tongue going rogue with mine. My hands slide around her, finding their way to her ass, and I pull her to me. I fucking want to throw her down on the table and have my way with her, but that’s not appropriate right now.
So instead, I kiss her.
I’ll kiss her until I can’t breathe.
A dramatically clearing voice startles me. So, I regretfully pull apart from Jovie. My cock is hard as rock while I turn. Savanah’s wide eyes stare at us with a hesitant expression on her face. She gestures downward, and I follow her line of sight. Lucas is wearing a suit, and Sadie’s in a cute-as-hell little purple dress, both with giant smiles on their adorable little faces. They’re standing with a cart, holding our dinner.
My chest swarms with pride. “Well, don’t y’all look amazing,” I tell them.
Sadie sways from side to side. “Jovie picked it out for me. I’m a princess!”
I grab Sadie’s hand, making her spin. “Yeah, baby girl, you are. And you, little big man, you’re all grown now.”
Lucas stands taller, puffing out his chest. “I’m a b… b… big boy!”
Jovie leans down. “Yeah, you are! Thank you for helping me.”
“That’s what best fwends do,” Lucas chimes.
My heart swells as Jovie hugs him tighter.
This right here is what it’s supposed to be.
This is the exact right thing for my family.