They beam at me, and I realize that, for once, I got to deliver good news. I hug them both, holding on a beat longer than usual, then stand up, grabbing my keys and phone.
“Okay,” I say, fighting back tears of gratitude. “I have to run to work. Be good for Uncle Asher and Uncle Zane, alright?”
“We will, Mommy,” they say, turning back to their coloring. But there’s a new sparkle in their eyes, a giddy excitement. I realize that I had nothing to worry about. The girls love them. All three of them.
In the evening, I take the girls out. The guys are out tying up some loose ends with the Jason business. They didn’t tell me, and I didn’t ask questions.
The theater is packed with kids, the scent of buttered popcorn thick in the air. Emma and Ella sit on either side of me, eyes glued to the screen as Elsa belts out another song.
For the first time in a long time, I feel like a regular mom doing regular things.
By the time we get home, the girls are still humming “Into the Unknown,” their little voices overlapping as they twirl around the living room.
“Go wash up, and I’ll make dinner,” I tell them, ruffling their hair as I pass.
They race upstairs, giggling, and I head into the kitchen.
A few minutes later, I glance at the clock as I drain the pasta, wondering when the guys will be back.
The front door opens, and I hear heavy boots on the floor. My breath catches as I glance over my shoulder.
Damon, Zane, and Asher step inside, still dressed in full tactical gear.
God help me.
The sight makes my pulse skip; there’s something raw and compelling about these men, big and broad, tattoos winding across powerful arms and chests, gear straps still looped around their torsos from the mission. I swallow, stepping forward and giving them each a kiss.
“Where are the girls?” Zane asks.
“Upstairs,” I say. “I took them out to seeFrozen 2. Safe to say they’re still obsessed with all the songs.”
Zane picks me up in his arms, and I can’t help but squeal. “I think we have a few minutes till they come down.”
“The pasta isn’t cooked yet,” I protest.
“We’ll help you,” Asher says, spanking my ass. “I think we’ll all need some help getting out of this.”
I blow out a breath. “Okay, fine. Ten minutes.”
“Good,” Damon says as they take me upstairs. “But I think we’ll need a few more minutes than that.”
“Hey, you promised,” I say.
“Shhh,” Asher says, locking the front door before heading up behind us. “Don’t want to spook the girls.”
Zane doesn’t stop until we reach the bedroom.
“Mommy?” Ella calls out. “Is dinner ready?”
“A few more minutes, sweetie,” I call out, feeling Damon’s arm snake over my tits.
“Yeah, she’s helping us out with something,” Asher adds.
“Is that you, Secret Agent Asher?” Emma says.
“Yes, sweetie, we’ll be right out,” Asher says, kissing me before he quickly shuts the door behind us.
I bite my tongue. “But the girls…”
