“Here.” He thrusts one of them at me. “Hold Emma. You’ll need the practice for when you become a father yourself.”
My limbs freeze even as I wrap my hands protectively around the small girl. I might need the practice a lot sooner than he thinks. I steal a quick glance at Katie, who’s been pulled away by Emily.
My brows furrow as I watch them step outside together, Katie’s shoulders tense, her mouth set in that way that means she’s bracing herself. I know this was the conversation she dreaded the most. She hasn’t said it outright, but I could feel it radiating off her. She thinks Emily hates her for the whole Stacey situation, for staying quiet, for the mess she never asked to be part of.
A sharp, unexpected pain on my scalp snaps my attention back. Emma, the toddler, is clutching a lock of my hair. I look down in disbelief, but she’s focused entirely on the hair, not me.
“You might want to think about cutting your hair. Or at least securing it with a better tie,” Michael comments mildly as he walks away with his other daughter.
“That wasn’t very nice, was it, Emma?” I ask the toddler. How old is she again? I do a quick mental calculation—she must be two, or maybe almost two.
Emma blinks up at me with those big, innocent eyes—and promptly pulls at my hair again. I wince, carefully trying to free the lock from her surprisingly strong grip. Thankfully, her mother swoops in to rescue me before I lose a chunk of scalp. Gianna takes Emma out of my arms, giving me an apologetic look.
“Her new fascination is hair. She can’t resist pulling it,” she explains, her tone carrying the weary patience of a mother who’s repeated this explanation countless times.
I chuckle despite myself, glancing down at the toddler whostill has her determined gaze fixed longingly on my hair. “It’s fine. She’s got a good grip.”
My attention drifts back to the door Katie and Emily disappeared through, anxiety creeping in. What’s taking so long? Should I check on them?
I scan the room for Kayla, wanting to see how she’s holding up, and I’m surprised to find her lingering near Elira at the couch a few feet away. She’s staring at my sister with that cautious curiosity she always has when she wants to ask something but isn’t sure if she’s allowed. Without really thinking about it, I take a few steps closer—even though I know Elira wouldn’t do anything to crush that look on the young girl’s face.
“Since you’re going to be my sister-in-law, Lira,” Kayla starts softly, “does that mean he’s my nephew?” She nods towards Luca, who’s busy babbling incoherently and blowing spit bubbles as he glances around the room.
My heart tightens at the hopeful expression that crosses Kayla’s face. The girl has been without any real family for so long, and now she isn’t sure how to interact with the new one that suddenly got dropped into her lap.
I didn’t expect to care this much about a girl I didn’t even know existed a few weeks ago. But now she’s part of this thing—this chaotic, dangerous, beautiful family. And no matter what comes next, she’ll be protected. I’ll make sure of it.
Elira blinks down at her, her brows furrowing for a moment. And then she grins. “Of course he’s your nephew! Do you want to hold him?”
Kayla hesitates. “I’m not sure… I’ve never held a baby before…”
“Don’t worry, he’s a lot sturdier than he looks,” Elira assures her warmly as she transfers the baby into Kayla’s uncertain arms.
She looks like she might actually pass out as she cradles thebaby with exaggerated care, her face a mixture of terror and wonder.
“See? You’re doing it perfectly,” Elira grins encouragingly and helps her sit down with Luca still in her arms.
Assured that Kayla is fine, I glance back at the door, starting to make my way there when it suddenly swings open.
Katie and Emily walk back in, and I stop mid-stride, immediately analyzing Katie’s face. But I don’t need to. Emily has her arm draped around her shoulders, and though Katie’s eyes are slightly red-rimmed, her smile is genuine.
The tight knot in my chest finally loosens. I try to catch Katie’s gaze across the room, but as soon as the other women see they’ve returned, they swarm her again, and I resign myself to letting her go.
For now.
“Let me see the rock again,” Gia demands, grabbing Katie's hand. “Jesus, Roan didn’t hold back at all.”
This coming from a woman whose own rock could probably be seen from space. But my chest puffs up with pride anyway, my back straightening as Dhimitër places a hand on my shoulder.
“You’re damn right he didn’t,” Lorik grins at me. “Possessive bastard.”
Even from the distance, I can see Katie's face flush red as Emily examines her finger next. “It’s gorgeous. And by the way, let it be known now that I’m your maid of honor. That’s non-negotiable.”
“Um, you’re married, Em. Doesn’t that make you amatronof honor?” Leni smirks, nudging Emily’s shoulder playfully.
“Shush, girl.” Emily presses a finger to Leni’s lips, and all the women burst into laughter.
I share a bemused stare with Dhimitër, silently questioning what’s so funny, and he just shrugs. He’s slowly warming toKatie, though he’s still pretending to be stoic about the whole thing.
