Oh, my goodness. He is beautiful. Look at that red hair! I’ve always wanted to have a ginger in my family. Oh, I can’t wait to babysit him. I’m telling you right now, you better get used to me spoiling him.
Turnabout is fair play. You spoil mine, I’ll spoil yours!
LOL!
I was totally not kidding. Honestly, though, I wasn’t sure I’d ever be able to outdo Aunt Thea. Anna’s sister-in-law was absolutely terrifying, but I could totally see Thea doting on that baby like no one’s business. He or she would definitely know how to protect themselves once they got old enough.
Seriously, though, I can’t believe how much I love him already. It happened so fast. The first time I held him it was like I’d discovered my purpose in life. He’s such a good baby.
Awww… I can’t wait to meet him. But you need sleep, momma. Go get some rest.
Momma. Hearing Jason say it the first time had surprised me. But I was. I was his momma. Me.
I smiled.I was his momma. Just the word alone was precious and filled with such a weight of responsibility. Not heavy or burdensome. But about loving him, raising him, and teaching him how to be a good human being.
Another text from Anna popped up.
I think I’m going to run downstairs and make myself some warm milk. I’m running on empty, and I haven’t been able to sleep.
Okay. You take care of yourself, for sure. Love you!
Love you too. Kiss that baby for me!
I carefully rolled to my side, holding Elias as securely as possible until his back was on the mattress. When I was certain he was settled, I turned on the noise machine and slipped out of the room.
At the top of the stairs, voices drifted up from below. Jason and Thomas, but also a deeper voice I almost recognized, tense and urgent.
“… you need to know what Colter’s planning…”
Colter? My need for warm milk vanished instantly. I crept closer to the banister, straining to hear more.
Chapter Eleven
JASON
“Jason.”
I woke with a jolt, my heart already racing before I was fully awake. The nightmare faded quickly, but the adrenaline stayed behind. That sick combination of fear and fury that left me breathless and tangled in my sheets, much like I was now.
In the doorway, Thomas filled the space. “Sorry to wake you. Kane’s here. Says he has information.”
That was unexpected. Last I heard, Kane wanted nothing to do with this.
“Where’s Cora?” I asked.
Thomas cracked a small smile. “Asleep in the crib with Elias.”
I wanted to see that, but after I spoke to Kane. “Okay. Don’t wake her.”
I freed myself from the sheet and stood, running a hand through my hair. Grabbing a T-shirt, I pulled it over my head before following Thomas down the steps.
Halfway down, Kane came into view with four of my men surrounding him with their guns drawn. It looked a bit comical.As big as the guy was, I suspected nothing short of a rifle would bring that man down.
“I’m not here to cause trouble,” Kane said.
I stayed a few steps up, studying him. “I thought you didn’t want to be involved.”
“Can we just talk? It wasn’t easy getting here without being followed. You need to know what Colter is planning.”
