“Fucking hell, can’t we catch a fucking break?” I bark, fucking done with the bullshit and still needing to talk to Tinsley about the baby and our future.
“What am I doing with this?” Vito shakes the nurse, who has gone limp in his hold.
“Take her to the cells. We’ll deal with her tomorrow after I take care of some things with Tinsley,” I command, turning to go meet my woman and Grandpa.
Eight
Tinsley
As we make our way into the kitchen, my stomach rumbles, and now I’m starving.
“What do we want?” Silas rubs his hands together gleefully.
I turn to look at him when an idea hits me. “How does grilled cheese sound?”
“That sounds perfect. What do you need me to do?”
“Nothing, you sit right there and let me do all the cooking.” I beam at him as he shuffles to the bar.
“Your wish is my command.” Grandpa laughs, sliding onto a bar stool.
Bryce leans against the door frame, not saying anything, just watching.
“Bryce, you sit too. Do you want one or two?” I ask him.
“Nah, little momma, I’m alright. You fix what you need for you and Silas,” Bryce answers.
My movements stop at him calling me little momma. Happiness and fear are the two primary emotions I feel, because he’s right—I am going to be a momma. Smiling softly to myself, for just a moment, I get lost in the future that I never thought I wouldhave, but it soon turns to bad memories when I think of my parents and what led me here, then my smile falters. Otis was never going to let me be free, and Kingston could never rein him in after Momma and Daddy died.
I nearly jump out of my skin when Andre comes up behind me and moves my hair to the side, kissing my neck. “Shit, Andre, you just scared the shit out of me,” I slap his shoulder laughing.
“Sorry, Tesoro,” he chuckles, once again kissing the side of my neck. “I did not intend to scare you. I thought you heard me since I called your name and was speaking prior to touching you.”
“Yeah, sorry. Bryce said something that took me down memory lane,” I tell him honestly.
“Do I need to kick his ass?” Andre grumbles, peppering my neck with kisses.
I lean my head to the side, giving him more space to explore. “No, you’re not kicking anyone’s ass. He just called me little momma, and it hit me I’m going to be a mother, and my own will not be with me.”
He places his chin on my shoulder, wrapping his hands low on my belly. “I had a very similar thought about my parents today. I miss them more and more every day.”
I finish the last grilled cheese and turn off the stovetop, then hand the plate of grilled cheese sandwiches to him. “Can you take these over to the island? I’m going to grab some pickles.”
“Pickles?” he questions, turning to do exactly what I asked of him.
“Do not ask questions. I made enough for you to have some if you would like.” I go over to the fridge and grab the pickles before taking the seat left open between Andre and Silas.
We sit in silence, each eating a sandwich. “When will you decorate for Christmas? It’s only two weeks away.”
Andre swallows the bite of grilled cheese he had just taken before answering. “We haven’t decorated for Christmas since my parents passed away. I never saw the point in it.”
“Oh, well, that’s okay. Would you mind if I decorated my room?” I really hope he says yes.
I’ve always loved decorating for Christmas because it made me feel closer to my parents after they passed.
Silas smiles at me. “I wish you would do the whole house. We need some cheer in this big old house. Don’t you think so, Andre?”
I beam at Silas before laying my head on his shoulder. “Thank you, Si. That really means so much, but I don’t want to push my wants onto Andre and everyone in the house.”
