“We’ve talked about safe words, collars, we even talked about me starting birth control, which to me says you don’t want children. And yet, we’ve never once talked about if you want a family with me.”
“Come here.” I bring her to straddle my lap instead of sitting in it. “I want you and if you’re not pregnant already, I plan to fix that as soon as the room stops spinning.”
“I’m fucked up. Can you seriously say you want to have a family with me?”
I turn completely serious. “All my life I’ve been the pretty brother. Women don’t stop to think about what they are getting into with me because they can’t stop ogling me.
“For the first time in my life, I’ve found someone that’s nothing but honest with me. You call me on my shit, and you treat me like I need you, not like you need me.
“I haven’t been too pretty for you to speak up and tell me what you do like and don’t like. You like the same shit.” I pause and shake my head.
When I look deeper into her eyes, I see everything I ever wanted, and I continue. “I’ve always known you were out there. Somewhere, waiting for me to find you, to love you. I’m not going anywhere, Roni.”
“You’re drunk. You don’t know what you’re saying.”
“I’m drunk so everything I say is true.”
“Everything I’ve been through has brought me here. I don’t deserve—”
“You don’t deserve to be happy?” I shake my head. “No matter how many times you say that it’s not going to be true. You’re not to blame for what happened that night. The other team was to supposed to get the others out safely. There was no way to know Natasha wasn’t going to get out with the others.
“God, baby, that has haunted me since you told me she never made it to New York, but we can’t live our entire lives unhappy because of it. You deserve to live and be happy,” I say.
“I’d probably make a terrible mother; you know this right?”
I place my hand over her belly. “Our son will be the luckiest kid in the world. His name will be John by the way.”
“Whatever,” she says and rolls her eyes.
“You can trust me. I will show you how good your future can be. Let me in.” I smile as the song in the background registers with my brain. “Do you hear that?”
“What?”
“The song.”
She listens as Sandy and Danny sing about being the one that they each want. A smile beams across her face. She’s so damn beautiful.
Roni kisses my lips. “This is my favorite song in the movie. And yeah, you’re the one that I want too.”
Chapter 56
Wedding Duty
Roni
Noah and Bean look so happy. She makes a gorgeous bride. This wedding was more than I expected, but as I look around, I think it’s perfect for them.
The wedding is in full swing. Music is blaring, laughter rings out around the room. Everyone looks so happy and normal.
Normal. It’s an odd word when you think of it. Here I sit with Shauna in my lap while she plays with Torque’s phone. Torque is on the dance floor, soaking up all the feminine attention.
The kid looks good. He cleaned up well in his tux. And yet, I can’t help thinking about why I’ve made sure to have Shauna as close as possible when she’s not in her father’s arms.
“What’s the deal with those two?” I nod over at Logan and Brooklyn as they lock their heads together in a heated discussion.
Cass turns to look over at the two, then back at me. She tilts her head to the side as her eyes twinkle and she reaches to run a hand over Shauna’s hair. It’s not lost on me that Cass is both a gentle woman as much as she’s a hard ass.
“Me nephews and their sisters are as close as me boys are. This wee one means the world to the both of them, but her father has only just learned she exists. His brother did what he thought was the best thing for them both. I believe he was right. However, it’s going to take time for Logan to feel that way. For the moment, he’s like a bear that wants to rip all his siblings apart,” she says.
“Why do I get the feeling Connie and Kate could have done this… looked after her?” I say and look down at Shauna.
“Because the O’Briens would turn this place upside down if anyone breathed so much as a foul breath in this tiny lass’s direction.”
I nod and look back to the brothers. Brooklyn is now smiling at Logan, but Logan still has a slight frown on his face. I follow the line of his gaze and find Camille on the other end. From what I know, she’s Bobby’s assistant or something.
She and Paige seemed to be close, the few times I saw them together back in New York. Proving my point, the woman I’ve been seeing clinging to Sam and Paige walk over to Camille and her eyes light up. Again, I remind myself that these people aren’t normal.
“I can always tell which women will be right for me boys.” Cass says, bringing my attention back to her. “The ones that can handle everything about us. The first time I met you, I knew you would be the one that understands it best.”
“Understands what?” I lift a brow.
“Don’t make me bop ye upside your head. Yer just like me little fuckers.” She narrows her eyes on me, then smiles. “Be patient with John, love. Everything we know is changing and the more change that comes, the more they’re all going to become more protective. I’m warning ye now because I see it coming.”
“It’s not my patience I’m worried about. It’s his.”
“Johnathan Dillion Black has been waiting for you all his life. Someone to call his own. Being not quite the middle child of seven, but almost has taken its toll on him. Nothing is ever truly his. He has shared and nurtured when it comes to his brothers. Always the peace maker,” she replies.
“Always the one doing the fixing,” I murmur.
“Aye, see. Ye get me boy so well.”
I look out at the dance floor and my gaze lands on John. He’s hovering over a little boy that’s having a tantrum on the floor.
“Ah, shite,” Shauna says as she apparently loses the game.
I look back at Cass, widening my eyes. Her shoulders shake with laughter as mirth shows in her eyes. She shrugs it off.
“She wouldn’t be the first,” Cass says.
“Oh God. Not my babies. I need to start cleaning my mouth up now,” I groan.
“Are ye pregnant?”
I freeze. I can’t say yes. It’s too soon. However, I’d feel like a liar if I said no.
Thankfully, John comes to save the day. He has the little boy in his arms from the dance floor. He’s the cutest little guy. Gray eyes and dark hair. The moment they reach us he almost leaps into my lap and wraps his arms around my neck.
Shauna moves over, but I see the little frown on her face. John must pick up on it too. He reaches for Shauna and she goes to him.
“Now this looks like a future,” Cass says and stands. “I’ll leave you be. Maybe ye’ll catch the fever from giving all these wee ones attention.”
With that, she floats off humming. John takes the seat she left, holding Shauna in his lap. He gives me a brilliant smile.