“Was there anything else?”
“You’re back for good?” Theo asked, and I took in a deep breath.
“That’s the plan.”
“You’ll forgive us for not believing you.” Michael this time.
I pushed closed the drawer and then leaned back against the counter, arms folded just above my bump. “I don’t expect any of you to trust me.”
“Luc does.”
Luc would. These were the men that worked for him, answered to him. They shouldn’t question the decisions he made, especially when it came to his personal life, but they had every right to do so when it had a knock-on effect for all of them. Everyone was just trying to make it through this life as painlessly as they could.
“That doesn’t mean that you have to.” They both looked slightly uneasy. “At least not in private. I’d have the same reservations if I were in your shoes, but I do plan to stay.” Words wouldn’t convince them; I’d need to prove it one way or another. “Thank you for agreeing to help us with the move.”
“Always happy to help out the boss,” Theo said. “Whatever he asks of us.” He gave me a pointed look. They’d been on his orders to find me and bring me back. They were making it clear to me that their loyalties were with Luc and Luc alone for the time being.
“As you should.” From the corner of my eye, I saw the coffee had finished brewing and moved over to the pot. “I was about to make some coffee. Are you guys taking me up on the offer?”
“On what offer?” Luc asked, entering the room. “Mia, Dom said you might know where we have spare tape.”
“I made a pot of coffee,” I replied, pouring the first mug. “And I just handed the last roll to Michael. You’ll have to send Dom out to grab some more if you need it.”
“It took two of you to get tape?” He eyed the pair suspiciously.
“They wanted to ask after the baby, Luc,” I covered. “That’s not a crime. It’s sweet of them.” My eyes flicked over to the both of them and Theo gave the smallest nod of his head as a sign of his gratitude. A tiny victory. I would take every small step I could on the mountain that stood ahead of me.
“I didn’t get you both around here for coffee and a gossip. Take the tape and get to work,” Luc told them. “Better yet, give me the tape and go and get some yourself.”
“Sure thing, boss.” Michael tossed the roll at Luc, who caught it in his hands.
“I’ll have your coffee waiting for you when you get back, boys,” I called after them as they left.
Luc looked at me from where he stood, throwing the roll between both of his hands. “They weren’t causing any trouble, were they?”
“I told you, they just wanted a chat. Go make a start on the office. I’ll come find you in a bit with a mug.” He didn’t need to know of every little hiccup. Not when the only person who could fix it was me.
Chapter Thirty One
Lucas
Closing on the house didn’t take as long as expected. Money made time an irrelevant construct and Mia had dotted her name on the line a few days after moving back in. The house may have been bought buy me, but it belonged to Mia. A piece of security for her and our son. An insurance policy, so if anything should go wrong, if something happened to me, she’d be able to sell it and leave without relying on anyone else. A get out clause.
“You should have signed it as well. It’s a home for both of us,” she told me.
“It is,” I agreed. “A piece of paper isn’t going to change that.”
“Legally it will.”
“I’m sorry, love. Are you planning to kick me out and leave me homeless?”
“No!” she exclaimed. “Of course not.” The she added as an afterthought, “As long as you behave.”
“When have I ever behaved?”
“You’re impossible,” she muttered under her breath.
“I didn’t catch that.”
