“It is,” Tashi and I said in unison.
Orion touched his eye self-consciously, then sighed. “Fine. I’m panicking. Happy?”
I studied my brother—the one who’d held us together after our parents died, who’d built this empire, who never showed weakness. And now he was standing here with his eye twitching, terrified and overjoyed in equal measure.
“Welcome to fatherhood, brother,” Leo said, wrapping an arm around Orion’s shoulders. “None of us have any idea what we’re doing.”
“That’s comforting,” Orion muttered.
But I could see it on his face. The same thing I was feeling. The overwhelming love for three lives that barely existed yet.
Three babies to protect. To teach. To raise.
The tactical part of my brain was already calculating—security measures for the house Orion mentioned, background checks for nannies, defensive driving courses for when they were old enough, self-defense training?—
“Ares.” Tashi’s hand on my face pulled me back. “Stop planning their military training. They’re not even born yet.”
“I’m not—” I stopped. “How did you know?”
“Because I know you.” She smiled. “And I love that you’re already thinking about how to keep them safe. But right now, let’s just celebrate.”
She was right.
We’d spent months fighting threats, protecting what was ours, surviving assassination attempts and conspiracies.
Now we got to just be happy.
“So,” Marta said, breaking the moment. “Who’s going to tell Henri he’s going to be a grandfather?”
The room went silent.
“Absolutely not,” Tashi said.
“Never,” Orion agreed.
“He doesn’t deserve to know,” I added.
Henri was in federal prison awaiting trial. He’d betrayed us, tried to destroy Tashi, and nearly gotten us all killed. The fact that he was biologically related to our children didn’t make him family.
“Fair enough,” Marta said with a shrug. “Just thought I’d ask.” She pulled out her phone. “I’m letting Neville know he’s running the hotel for two weeks. He’s going to love this.”
“He’ll be fine,” Leo said. “And you’ll keep him sane.”
“I’ll try.” Marta’s smile was soft. “He’s actually not bad company when he’s not being all mysterious and intense.”
I made a mental note to have a conversation with Neville about his intentions. Marta was Tashi’s best friend. Which made her family.
Which meant she was under our protection too.
Orion finished his call and crossed back to Tashi, his hand finding her stomach again. “Three babies. Our babies.”
“Scared?” she asked.
“Terrified,” he admitted. “And happier than I’ve ever been.”
Leo wrapped his arms around both of them. “We’re going to be terrible at this.”
“Probably,” I agreed, joining the circle. “But we’ll figure it out together.”
