I’d offered to hire contractors to do the work, but Sloane wanted us to do it, so here we are.
“That crib isn’t going to build itself,” Sloane reprimands teasingly as she pushes the roller through the paint and loads it up.
I cock my head as she walks, her tight leggings molding to the shape of her thighs and ass, while she has knotted her old band tee at the front to show off a slither of skin across her abdomen. She has her ashy hair piled high in a bun, her face fresh, a little pink blush from the hour we spent in bed before we got to work on her cheeks.
While she gets to painting the walls, I start unboxing the crib, leaving the set of drawers, changing table, and shelving for last. The rocking chair that was in here before is staying.
We work silently, comfortably. She paints while I put the furniture together. Lily is with Willow and Sebastian while we get this done during the day, but we’ll be picking her up a little later when we go to dinner at their place.
Willow had offered when we dropped Lily there this morning, and it was Sloane who’d accepted, excited to spend time with them.
Bast confirmed three days ago that Richard was dead, buried in some unmarked grave behind the estate where Malakai and Olivia live. His business is gone, seventy-five percent and counting, of the women he sold have been found with their buyers being prosecuted. Richard had a complete list of buyers saved on his computer, which I now have. Anyone who attempted to take over from him was killed, and the mercenaries on his payroll are now on ours.
It’s over with him.
Sloane manages to get two walls painted, and half the crib is built, when my cell buzzes.
Bast’s name flashes on the screen, and my heart sinks a little.
“Everything okay?” I answer.
He chuckles, “All good, brother, Lily is fine.”
I release my breath.
“But we will have to raincheck on dinner tonight and grab something while we are out.”
I put the drill down and wipe away the sweat on my brow. Sloane looks toward me, paintbrush in hand, as she listens. “What do you mean?”
“Gotta meet us down at the hospital; Olivia just had her baby.”
“Oh, shit!” I laugh, “Serious!?”
“Little boy,” Bast says proudly, “Malakai called ten minutes ago, born healthy, and Olivia is doing well.”
“We’re on our way,” I tell him and put the phone down.
“She had the baby!?” Sloane squeals, “That’s exciting!”
“Going to head down to the hospital now,” I pocket my cell and tidy up a little.
“Okay,” She smiles warmly, “I’ll just get this painting done while you’re gone.”
My brow lowers, “What?”
“I promise I have a steady hand,” She laughs as she puts the roller back to the wall and continues to work, “I can cut in. You’ve got a step ladder right?”
“Sloane,” I catch her attention, “You’re coming.”
“Huh?”
“Malakai wants his family to meet his son,” I explain, “That means you too.”
“But I–”
“You’re family, Sloane. Come on, let’s go before we hit rush hour.”
There’s a little bit of paint on her, a smear on her cheek, a speck on her shirt but she looks so damn beautiful right now.
