My sons’ dads. That was who.
So fucking wrong, but they’d done it, and they’d do it again with the baby in my belly—a baby none of them knew about yet.
Hence the fucking maxi dress. Had to hide my pooch somehow, didn’t I?
“Leave it alone, Ma,” Matty grumbled, instantly messing up the waves of hair again.
I scowled at him. “You’re going to brush it for the photos, aren’t you?”
He groused. “It is brushed.”
Eying it like I’d done the last time he had lice, I squinted at him. “Doesn’t look it to me.”
“What’s wrong? You looked like you were crying.”
I shrugged. “Emotional day.”
“You don’t cry,” he muttered, sounding surprised by my admission.
“Yeah, well, I ain’t a fucking monster, son. I cry sometimes. Especially on days like today.”
He pursed his lips. “I should get D-Flame.”
The whole four fathers thing was more complicated with my sons who refused, unlike Ama, to call them ‘Daddy Flame, Daddy Wolfe etc.’ So they’d come up with a compromise.
D-Dagger, D-Axe.
I had one thing to say to that—FML.
“I don’t need anyone hovering around me. A mother is allowed to get teary-eyed on her baby girl’s special day!” I groused, then I shooed my hands at him. “Go on, brush your fucking hair, then come and help with the chairs.”
Though he glared, when I glared back, his shoulders immediately hunched around his ears like he knew I’d box them—and I would. He wasn’t too old for that shit—before he scuttled away.
Wonder if it’s another girl.
“I hope so. Can’t stand another man around the place.”
You’d love it.
My lips twitched. “Of course I would. Didn’t think I’d be having a baby this late.”
You’re not exactly ancient.
“No. But I’ve had three. Thought that was enough. Hope it’s Axe or Dagger’s. That’d be nice. Flame always did like to turbocharge shit. He’s already my baby daddy twice over, doesn’t need to be three times.”
Bet he’d crow.
“Bet your ass he would.” I sighed, stared over the compound which showed our wealth.
Everything was pristine, the lawn, the drive, the clubhouse. I made fucking sure of it. The paint was fresh, the place was clean, and where we were having the ceremony was close to a fire pit we’d had installed years ago.
They’d set up an arbor entwined with wildflowers close by, and chairs had been stacked around. Everyone was invited, but only family and VIP guests could sit down. It wasn’t a formal event, but it meant a lot. Daddy was here as was his bitch of a wife—I loved my father, but Lucifer was more than old and gray now, and his wife was pure sugar baby material. In it for his position and his cash. If she’d have loved him, I wouldn’t have given a fuck.
But she didn’t.
So I hated her.
He knew it, was just amused when I glowered at her, but she was so fucking dumb she didn’t pick up on the fact that I hated the air she breathed. I guess he didn’t give a fuck so long as she was banging his old bones.
So, Daddy was on his way, as was his slut—why he’d had to wife her though, sweet fuck—and then there were some of his council, as well as the New York swanksters who were probably going to irritate me more than Crystal.
I pursed my lips at the thought, vowed to myself I’d be on my best behavior today, and went to dig in and help.
Don’t do too much. You need to watch yourself now.
My lips curved at his concern, but he knew I’d do exactly what needed to be done.
As I always had.
When I reached the arbor, I stared up at the sun. It was beaming down hotly for my baby even though the forecast had been grim, and I twisted to look at the clubhouse. In the distance, I heard that squeak of the gate which warned me it had been opened, and I knew the day was just about to get started even though I’d been up since five.
Everything was changing, but that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.
I placed my hand on my belly, and whispered, “Ry?”
Yes, love.
“I love you. Wish you were here.”
I am, and I always will be. I love you too, and kiss our girl for us, yeah?
Clenching my teeth against the pain bombarding me at his absence, a pain my heart would never recover from, I let it out on an exhalation.
Life was crazy. It always would be. But the love I had? Crazier still. That made everything else bearable. Because without my men, I was nothing.
No one.
Just like I knew how Ama felt with her soulmates.
Today was going to be emotional, but I’d own it. For her. For us.
She and I knew what it meant to love with our whole hearts, and today, I was going to watch her cement things even further.
It was going to be a good day. But even more, I knew it was going to be a good life.
And that?
All I could ask for. For her, and for me.
Afterword
Hey darlings,
Truly hope you loved that little extra there. It’s exclusive to this new collection, but it also includes something that happened in the crossover series with FILTHY RICH. (www.books2read.com/FilthyRich)
If you want to know more… well, you’ll just have to read it, won’t you? ;)
Annnnd, well, you’ll have to read Filthy Dark, book two in that series as well, (www.books2read.com/FilthyDark because Inessa will be at the ceremony and detailing it to anyone who cares to read. ;)
Take care, my darlings.
Stay safe.
Much love,
Serena
xoxo