“Another dance?” Nix asks as she comes up to our table.
“No, we’re leaving.” Naomi slips off my lap, and I stand, taking her hand.
“You were beautiful tonight,” Nix tells her. “Every night.” I let Naomi’s hand go when she takes a step toward Nix to hug her. She whispers something into her ear, making a smile appear.
“Love you,” she tells Nix as she steps back toward me.
“Are you ready?” I ask her.
“For you, always.” I sweep her up into my arms and carry her back toward the house.
Tonight will be only about her and me.
Come tomorrow, my sunshine is going to burn for all the world to see.
Chapter Thirty
NAOMI
Ido and undo the top few buttons on Paxton’s shirt. I can’t stop touching him. I don’t know whether it’s my obsession with him or that we’re about to part ways. I’m sure it’s a bit of both.
“I’ll be okay,” he tries to reassure me, his hands wrapping around my wrist.
“I know.”
Paxton might appear to be laid-back, but the man can more than hold his own. He spars with my brothers on the regular. He is actually pretty rough with them. I think it’s aggression that stems from them hunting me. Even though they were and continue to do it to keep me on my toes, I understand how it could be a double-edged sword for Paxton. The thought of anyone trying to hunt him has the same feelings stirring inside of me. “But would you tell me if you didn’t think you’ll be okay?” I peer up at him. His brows pull together. “Pax,” I whisper.
“I don’t foresee myself getting hurt, but that is always a possibility.”
“I don’t care for those types of possibilities.” A small huff leaves me.
“You’re pouting,” he whispers, fighting back a smirk. We’re off to the side, everyone getting ready to roll out.
“That’s your doing.” I don’t pout, or I didn’t before him. When I’m with Paxton, I get all soft and mushy. I don’t understand it, but I don’t hate it. It’s only when we’re alone or it’s just family around.
This tight coil inside of me loosens when he’s near me. There is a comfort I receive from him that no one else can provide. I feel safe and protected in all ways. I mean, the man always seems to know what’s coming next. It’s annoying, badass, and my brothers get a kick out of it the most.
“My apologies.” He kisses my bottom lip.
“Liar. You’re not sorry one bit.” I slide my hand into his to stroke the inside of his wedding band. I enjoy the sight of it on him as much as I do the tattoo.
“I think we’re about ready,” Mac says. My Aunt Marks is next to her. I take the two earpieces from them, slip mine on, and then put Pax’s on for him, wanting to touch him a few more times before he’s out of reach.
“Give us a second,” I tell them. They nod and step back around.
We’re in New Orleans at an old airfield that is no longer in use. Uncle Z had selected the location. It’s not on any map, but the man seems to know all kinds of things.
“Come here.” Pax doesn’t wait for me to move. He grabs my hips and pulls me flush into him. “Everything has been planned out. It’s the grand finale,” he teases, but it really is. Today will end the months of work we’ve done as a family to dismantle many of the other families.
We have finally agreed to the meeting with the Esposito family. The Severini family came in from Boston to be here as well. That was rather helpful. Two birds with one stone.
Z, along with my brothers and Cosima, went to Boston to wrap things up there after everything unfolded here. There are so many moving pieces.
“Keep your head in the game. I’ll be with War and Eros. We can handle ourselves.”
“I know you can.” It doesn’t make it any easier. “Kiss me,” I order, making him smile and give me my kiss before we join everyone else, going over all the details one more time before my dad, Eros, and my husband head out.
“You good?” my uncle Ronan asks.
