Lexy scoffs. “Skyla, Logan has a house. You don’t need your mommy to take care of your baby. People traditionally move out when they’re about to start a family. Why in God’s name would you want to stay in this hovel?”
“Ah ah ah!” Tad’s voice honks like an air horn. “This ain’t no hovel, sweetie. This is a den divine. And I know exactly why these two want to hang out on the Landon gravy train. They’re hoping to scoop up a piece of the pie.”
“I’m not looking for a piece of the Landon pie,” I’m quick to correct.
Lex bags up her things and bodies rise from the table, Tad and me included.
“Sure you are. You saw what a good deal that brother of yours had going and you wanted in on it. Free food, free lodging. And now I’m going to have to stare at your rump for the better part of a year while it sticks out of my refrigerator.”
“Enjoy the view,” I say as I twirl Skyla into my arms, our baby nestled between us just the way I like it. “I’m in Skyla’s life to stay.” Which is exactly why I summoned Dudley. “I’m headed to Whitehorse. I’ve got some business to tend to.”
“I’ll go, too,” she’s quick to volunteer.
Bree pops up and carefully wraps her arms around Skyla from behind. “You’re not leaving until we hammer out every last detail. This wedding is going to be here before you know it. And believe me when I say it will be the wedding of the century.”
“The wedding of the century,” Skyla bubbles the words out as her eyes sparkle into mine. “That is exactly what this will be.” She swings our hands between us as the boys come over and I pick them both up and toss them gently until they scream with delight.
“Wedding of the century. This will be the wedding to end all weddings, Skyla.”
She lifts a brow, her hands lovingly cradling our baby. “This will be the beginning to end all beginnings.”
“To a beginning that never ends.” I lean in and press a kiss to her lips.
Skyla and I will never end. And I will do whatever is necessary to ensure just that.
* * *
It’s raining up, down, and sideways. It’s pouring from the sky as much as it seems to be coming off the ground. The heavens are as black as Gage Oliver’s soul. I climb out of my truck and run into Whitehorse, speeding all the way down to the Wonderground.
Dudley’s Corvette sits out front, so I know the devil is here. And sure enough, as soon as I hit the over lit halls that Ezrina keeps as sanitized as her soul, I bump right into the ball of raging testosterone.
“What?” He glowers at me a moment before taking off and I follow him down the endless white hall that gives off an otherworldly appeal.
“Where’s the fire?”
Dudley slams me to the wall and my skull feels as if it just suffered a fracture.
“I’ll tell you where the fire is, Young Oliver. In your pants and not in the war where it belongs.” He pushes me away with marked aggression. “What in heaven’s name are you thinking?” His eyes ride down to my feet, then right back up with disgust. “Never mind. I know exactly what you’re thinking. Enjoying the honeymoon, are you?”
“Not technically married yet.”
“That’s not stopping you, is it?” He continues striding down the never-ending hall as we bypass room after room, or more to the point, lab after lab.
“That’s exactly what I came to talk to you about.” I catch him by the elbow and spin him toward me before he breaks out into an all-out sprint. “I want you to give me your time with Skyla.” I hook my eyes to his and don’t let go, pleading with him silently to go along with it.
Dudley barks out a laugh as he slaps me on the shoulder. “Thank you for that. I can always count on you for a bit of levity, can’t I?” He’s right back to glowering.
“I’m serious. I was going to ask Candace, but I thought I’d run it by you first. You know, in the event you’re willing to concede.”
“Concede to what? Skyla is my betrothed. The mother of my child.” He lifts a brow. “I’m afraid it’s destined to be. Immaculate conception was a one-off. My presence will most certainly be needed to produce our little miracle.”
Shit. “Fine. You can have her one night. Conceive your child, but I’m raising it.”
“What in the hell?” a high-pitched, decidedly female voice calls out from behind and I cringe. Skyla pops up like an apparition. “I called for you to wait, but you didn’t hear me. My mom agreed to watch the boys for a couple of hours,” she pants, holding her belly. “Did you just—?”
“No.” I’m quick to deny it. “Dudley and I were talking about the war.” I slap him hard on the shoulder. “Now what were you saying?” I shoot him a look that dares him to go in the wrong direction. I’ll tell Skyla the truth at some later date when her hormones aren’t ripe for a murderous spree.
“The war.” He smacks his lips with disdain. “Yes. I was about to explain the fact Ezrina’s trials are underway with the humans. Twelve Spectators have had their own makers covered and the holding pattern is four months strong now.” He looks to Skyla. “With the aid of your generous donation, she was able to maintain stasis. There’s no telling how long this will last, but the progress is phenomenal.”
